Have you ever wondered about the budget planning process, development review process, or various other responsibilities of City government?
If so, then CityU has an educational opportunity for you!
For more information, click here.
Last Thursday, a House Ways and Means subcommittee advanced the “State of South Carolina Small Business Tax Cut of 2026” (H.5006). The bill exempts the first $10,000 of a small business’s personal property (BPP) from county taxation, eases compliance burdens, and eliminates the tax altogether for small businesses with less than $10,000 in BPP. The bill now heads to the full House Ways and Means Committee.
For more information, click here.
Turner Padget announced the opening of its new office in Charlotte, North Carolina, and the addition of shareholder David A. Luzum, a seasoned litigator who will help lead the firm’s expanded presence and client service efforts in the region. Joining him as part of the Charlotte launch team, Shareholder Ben Calhoun – a workers’ compensation attorney in Turner Padget’s Workplace Law Group – is relocating to Charlotte to strengthen client service and expand the firm’s North Carolina capabilities.
To read the full press release, click here.
In his State of the State address, Governor McMaster highlighted South Carolina’s strong economic performance and emphasized the business community’s role in driving the state’s success over the past nine years. He pointed to budget surpluses, record investment, and workforce growth as evidence that South Carolina remains competitive.
Key Accomplishments Highlighted
To read the full story, click here.
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Pee Dee Area received the Advocate of Youth award from Boys & Girls Clubs of America for their advocacy on behalf of South Carolina’s youth.
“Clubs like ours have a unique role as community leaders in providing valuable afterschool programs to our country’s youth that enable them to achieve great futures,” said Lisa Bailey, director of philanthropy of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Pee Dee Area. “We are wholly committed to raising the visibility of the needs of the youth in our community, especially the ones who need us most, and show what we can accomplish with the support of our elected officials and our community.”
Staff and members of the Board of Directors always stand up for our youth, and this year was no different.
To read the full story, click here.
This engaging 3-hour accelerator will immerse you in real-world simulations, allow you to collaborate with a group of motivated peers, and create a customized 90-day action plan ready for immediate implementation. You won’t just gain insights—you’ll also acquire practical tools to enhance your leadership skills from day one.
For more information, click here.
Samuel Fryer, along with his wife Maria and Chamber Ambassadors welcome The Florence Foodies to the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.
The Florence Foodies is a dynamic multimedia entertainment brand deeply committed to celebrating and elevating the vibrant culture of Florence County, South Carolina.
Florence Foodies specializes in high-quality media production, delivering engaging content that highlights the rich food culture of our region, provides comprehensive coverage of local sports, and showcases diverse forms of entertainment. As the home of the popular Florence Foodies Podcast and the Florence Foodies Sports Broadcast—both available on the dedicated YouTube channel—Florence Foodies create platforms that bring our community together through storytelling, insight, and shared experiences. The Florence Foodie mission is to serve as a valuable community asset dedicated to cultural development in Florence, offering residents and local voices a space to share their stories, passions, and perspectives. The Florence Foodies has been proven to be a great place for local businesses to partner with to make various multimedia projects that increase their own brand awareness and momentum.
To read the full story, click here.
The community is invited to participate in the 3rd Annual Pat Gibson Moore Black History Month Parade, scheduled for Saturday, February 21st in Florence, South Carolina.
This annual parade celebrates Black history, culture, and community while bringing together local organizations, schools, churches, businesses, and families. The parade will begin at the 1200 block of W. Evans Street, with lineup beginning at 9:00 a.m. and step-off at 10:00 a.m.
Schools, churches, bands, student organizations, and community groups are encouraged to participate by marching, riding, or representing their organization. The participation fee is $30 per group, which supports parade logistics, safety, and event coordination.
At the conclusion of the parade, there will be a Celebration of Black History at Willie T’s (by Thompsons Barber Shop – 212 N Dargan St, Florence, SC 29506). Vendor spaces are available.
Join us as we celebrate history, unity, and community pride.
For participation details or registration information, please contact 843-468-7489 or 843-616-1030.
For more information, click here.
Join the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce and SC State University 1890 PSA for a Small Business Resource & Networking Forum.
The Small Business Resource & Networking Forum will convene entrepreneurs, government agencies, and resource partners to strengthen the small business ecosystem in the City of Florence & Florence County.
The event takes place on Tuesday, February 24th at the City Center (located at 324 West Evans Street, Florence SC) from 10:00 am – 12:00 noon.
This forum will provide technical assistance, funding preparation, business certification updates, and certification guidance to help local businesses grow and thrive.
This event is sponsored by SC State Extension and the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce and hosted by the City of Florence.
The event will be powered by collaboration with key organizations and leaders, including:
To register online, click here.
Taylor Graham Newton along with family members, friends and Chamber Ambassadors cut her ribbon joining the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.
Taylor Graham Newton is a licensed real estate agent with Real Broker, LLC, proudly serving Florence County and surrounding areas throughout the Pee Dee region of South Carolina. A lifelong resident of Florence County and Francis Marion University graduate, Taylor has been a realtor since 2021 and is known as a true people person who brings enthusiasm, care, and strong local market knowledge to everything she does. She is passionate about helping people and guiding clients through the buying and selling process with clarity, confidence, and compassion.
Specializing in residential homes and land, Taylor works with buyers and sellers throughout Florence, Scranton, Lake City, and surrounding communities across the Pee Dee region. Her business is built on relationships, communication, and trust, with a strong focus on educating clients so they feel confident and supported every step of the way. Taylor takes pride in providing personalized service and building lasting relationships with those she serves.
To read the full story, click here.
