MUSC Hollings Cancer Center Holds Groundbreaking Ceremony

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The Florence Chamber congratulates MUSC Health of Florence on their recent groundbreaking of the future MUSC Hollings Cancer Center at Florence Medical Center campus, which will service the Pee Dee and northeastern South Carolina.

Expected to open in the Winter of 2027, the new cancer center will be a three-story 63,000-square-foot facility and will serve as South Carolina’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer center.

For more information, click here.

Dr. Marilyn “Murph” Fore Now Acting President of FDTC

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The Florence-Darlington Technical College (FDTC) Area Commission unanimously voted Tuesday, July 14, to appoint Dr. Marilyn “Murph” Fore as Acting President of Florence-Darlington Technical College.

Dr. Fore brings more than five decades of experience in higher education leadership to FDTC. She recently announced her retirement as President of Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC), effective July 31, 2026, after 51 years of dedicated service to the institution.

To read the full press release, click here.

Notch 8 Restaurant and Catering Featured on ChamberLink Radio

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Nicole DuBose and Cooper Thomas were the Florence Chamber’s guests, talking about the Notch 8 Restaurant and Catering location on Pamplico Highway here in Florence while covering some interesting items on the Notch 8 menu and what seems to be the most popular features about the restaurant.

We encourage you to tune-in every Sunday from 12:00-12:30pm on LIVE 95.3FM in Florence, SC.

This program is brought to you by the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce, MUSC Health Florence Medical Center and LIVE 95.3FM.

Looking for past ChamberLink Radio Show interviews? Click here:

https://www.flochamber.com/events-programs/podcasts/

The McLeod 2026 USTA Tennis Tournament Scheduled This Week

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The McLeod for Health Florence Open will return to Florence the week of July 27, 2026, at the Dr. Eddie Floyd Florence Tennis Center. Florence’s only professional tennis tournament, made possible by the partnership between McLeod Health and the City of Florence, helps raise awareness of breast cancer and physical activity through the tournament, which benefits women in the region with mammogram scholarships.

The professional tennis tournament draws nearly 65 of the world’s best women players to our area. The USTA Pro Circuit features competitive matches between tennis’s rising athletes. The tournament also has a great history of containing future Grand Slam Champions such as Bianca Andreescu, Sofia Kenin, Naomi Osaka among others.

For more information, click here.

Voice of Small Business Breakfast Held Last Thursday

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Last week, the Florence Chamber and the small business committee held its’ quarterly Voice of Small Business Breakfast at Florence County Club. More than 30 small business leaders attended the early morning event sponsored by First Citizens Bank.

The breakfast provides area small business owners and operators with the opportunity to share recent business experiences through roundtable reports that ranged from current business performance initiatives to weathering the summertime slowdown and business cycles. These conversations allow topics of concern to be collected and used as a focus for the next Small Business Luncheon to be scheduled later this year.

Special thanks to the Chamber Small Business Committee Champion, David Fountain, for leading the breakfast topics and to First Citizens Bank for sponsoring the event.

SteelFab Expands Operations in Florence County

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SteelFab, Inc., a leader in the steel fabrication industry, is expanding its operations in Florence County, the company announced last Thursday.

The $38.92 million investment will create 108 new jobs, the company said. Its new facility will be located at 500 Freedom Blvd. in Florence and will produce fabricated steel parts for U.S. naval defense purposes.

Founded in 1955, SteelFab opened its first South Carolina fabrication plant in 1988. It currently has 35 locations across the U.S., including office and manufacturing facilities in Charleston and Rock Hill, South Carolina.

Operations for the Florence County facility are expected to be online by September 2027.

Florence Symphony Presents A Symphonic Journey

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This special Sunday performance invites you to journey across Europe through music and storytelling inspired by European travel host, Rick Steves. Blending vivid imagery, cultural insight, and live orchestral music, it is a wonderful way to begin the season—whether you are a longtime patron or discovering the symphony for the first time.

Performance will be held on Sunday, August 30th at 4:00 PM at the FMU Performing Arts Center, 201 S. Dargan St., Florence.

For more information, click here.

Emerging Leaders Summer Institute Participate in Arts, Education and Leadership Development Day

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The Florence Chamber’s Emerging Leaders Summer Institute class learned more about Arts, Education and Leadership Development.

The day included a presentation from Francis Marion University and Florence-Darlington Technical College, along with tours of the FMU Performing Arts Center, Florence Museum, and the Florence County Library.

The group also heard informative presentations from Florence County Economic Development, Florence Downtown Development and Spherion.

To see more photos from the day, click here.

City of Florence Honored with Municipal Achievement Award for Public Safety

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Last week at the Municipal Association of South Carolina’s (MASC) Annual Meeting, the City of Florence was honored by receiving a Municipal Achievement Award for Public Safety. Mayor Lethonia Barnes accepted the award on behalf of the city, recognizing the city’s leadership for their innovative approach to Public Safety through technology, teamwork, and trust.

To read the full story, click here.