Area Manufacture Employee Part of the South Carolina Manufacturing Leadership Program

/in , , /by

Robert Wingard of American Honda South Carolina Manufacturing will be part of the 2026–2027 class of the South Carolina Manufacturing Leadership Program (SCMLP), welcoming 22 rising leaders from across the state’s manufacturing community.

Led by SCMC and SC Future Makers in partnership with the Executive Education Center at the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina, SCMLP is an immersive, cohort-based program that prepares high-potential manufacturing professionals for greater leadership roles within the industry.

Congrats to Robert Wingard.

Francis Marion University Offers Certificate Courses

/in , , /by

Women’s Leadership: This five-session program elevates women’s leadership potential and presence by combining interactive workshops, skilled speakers, and objective-based discussions. Sessions will cover a range of gendered workplace topics while offering opportunities to build leadership skills, goals, and networks. This program is geared towards women at any stage of their life and career who aspire to enhance their professional skills, personal goals, communal connections, and conceptual knowledge. Participants will have direct access to experts and applicable research, women leaders in our community, and their program cohort for continued networking. Francis Marion’s Women’s Leadership Certificate program is open to community members as a non-degree enrollment option. Participants will receive a certificate of completion. Secure your spot by August 27.

Introduction to Grant Writing: Introduction to Grant Writing provides practical skills in identifying funding sources and drafting compelling and competitive grant proposals. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of various funder types, strategies for identifying funding opportunities, and how to interpret grant guidelines effectively. Participants will also gain skills in writing compelling needs statements and developing realistic, well-justified grant budgets. Francis Marion’s Introduction to Grant Writing program is open to community members as a non-degree enrollment option. Participants will receive a certificate of completion. Register today!

Peace Love Glory Homecare LLC Cuts Ribbon on Chamber Membership

/in , , , /by

Marilyn McKnight owner of Peace Love Glory Homecare LLC along with guests and Chamber Ambassadors cuts her ribbon joining the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce and opening her newest facility at 720 Coit St.

Peace Love Glory Homecare LLC was founded in 2016 by President/CEO, Marilyn McKnight, in Bishopville, South Carolina. What began as a calling has grown into a trusted source of compassionate care – serving families with love, dignity, and dedication for over ten years. Marilyn currently has three locations in Bishopville, Florence and Darlington and serves clients in 17 counties. Ms. McKnight was nominated as WBTW 2026 Remarkable Women and was selected as one of the top runners-up.

At Peace Love Glory Homecare, the care received feels like family. Their mission is to create a warm, welcoming, and supportive environment where every individual is treated with kindness, respect, and genuine compassion. Their highly trained caregivers and devoted office staff work hand in hand with families to provide flexible, in-home support tailored to each client’s unique needs.

To read the full story, click here.

House of Hope and Florence One Schools Partner in Tiny Home Project

/in , , /by

On Tuesday, August 18th, the Chamber was delighted to attend an event held by Florence 1 Schools and House of Hope of the Pee Dee as they held the official groundbreaking a new Hope Village that will be built on North Douglas Street here in Florence. The groundbreaking marks an exciting milestone for the tiny home community that will support district families experiencing homelessness.

The project called Hope Village, is a planned community of 10 tiny homes designed to provide stable housing for Florence 1 students and their caregivers.

Dr. Richard O’Malley, Superintendent of Florence One Schools, along with representatives from House of Hope and the Florence 1 School Board spoke during the ceremony, including Florence 1 Board Member E.J. McIver, who represents the Douglas Street area here in the city.

Innovation Nexus LLC Cuts Ribbon on Chamber Membership

/in , , , /by

James C. Jordan cuts his ribbon along with Chamber Ambassadors joining the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

James C. Jordan is the founder of Innovation Nexus LLC, a Florence-based technology consultancy. After more than a decade working with municipal data systems — the software behind city finance, utility billing, and permitting — James launched Innovation Nexus to bring that same engineering discipline to two groups: local governments that need dependable, audit-ready reporting, and Pee Dee small businesses that need professional websites and practical automation without big-city agency prices. Innovation Nexus builds and hosts sites for area firms and organizations, and develops Civic Suite, a municipal portal-and-dashboard platform. James lives in Florence and works with clients nationwide.

Innovation Nexus is a Florence, SC technology consultancy serving two communities. For Pee Dee small businesses, we design and host fast, professional websites and set up practical automation and AI tools that save owners real hours each week. For cities, counties, and utilities, we bring 12+ years of municipal data experience — reliable reporting, audit-ready data, and dashboards built on systems like Tyler Munis and EnerGov, including our Civic Suite platform. Local examples of our work include sites for area accountants, consultants, nurseries, and community organizations. Start with a free, no-obligation technology assessment.

Free 30-minute Website & Technology Assessment for Chamber members. We’ll review your website, Google presence, and day-to-day manual processes, and leave you with a short-written list of the highest-impact improvements — no obligation, keep the list either way.

To read the full story, click here.

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Pee Dee Area Champion for Youth

/in , , /by

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Pee Dee Area will recognize its 2026 Champion for Youth Carl Humphries at an event on Tuesday, August 25, in the lobby of the SiMT – Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology​ at Florence-Darlington Technical College, 1951 Pisgah Road, Florence. You can contribute here: https://bit.ly/cfy2026

Throughout his career, Humphries, Chief Executive Officer of HopeHealth, has remained committed to HopeHealth’s mission of serving the underserved by ensuring access to affordable, high-quality healthcare for children and families across South Carolina.

Humphries has led the organization since 2000. A graduate of the University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Social Work focused on the humanities, Carl began his career as a public health social worker with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), specializing in HIV prevention, education, and support services.

This year’s Champions for Youth Tribute event will be held at 6p.m. on Tuesday, August 25, in the lobby of the SiMT – Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology​ at Florence-Darlington Technical College, 1951 Pisgah Road, Florence.

For more information, call 843-662-1142 or visit https://www.bgcpda.org.

Women In Commerce Featured on ChamberLink Radio

/in , , /by

Ashley Christenbury, City Executive & SVP at First Bank and Cameron Campbell, President at United Way of Florence County were the Florence Chamber’s guests this past weekend, talking about the upcoming Women in Commerce Luncheon to be held on Thursday August 27th at Florence Center. Both Ashley and Cameron serve on the Chamber’s WIC planning committee for the event.

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/

Florence Lions Club – August Meeting

/in , , /by

Football season is almost here!

Join the Florence Lions Club for their August meeting featuring Phil Kornblut of SportsTalk, as he previews the 2026 college football season (with plenty to talk about when it comes to Clemson and Carolina) on

Wednesday, August 26 at 12:30 PM at the Florence Country Club.

Come hear Phil’s take on the upcoming season and enjoy a great program. They’d love to see you there!

MUSC Health Dental & Oral Care Grand Opening & Business After Hours – TOMORROW

/in , , /by

Please join the Chamber & MUSC Health for an open house and tour of the new comprehensive dental practice and future home of the Dental General Practice Residency program, expected to open early September.

The event will be held on Tuesday, August 25th from 5:30 – 7:00 PM at MUSC Health Florence Medical Center’s Medical Pavillion C, Suite 300 (1594 Freedom Blvd).

Register here!

Grants Available For South Carolina’s Rural Communities

/in , , /by

Local governments in rural areas of South Carolina can compete for grant funds to help bring transformative projects to life.

The Rural Development Initiative annual competitive grant program, administered by S.C. Commerce, will open soon. Eligible county and municipal governments are invited to submit implementation-ready projects as part of a competitive application process designed to strengthen the state’s rural communities through strategic public investment.

Applications will be accepted Sept. 1-Oct. 30, and awards will be announced in January 2027.

To read the full story, click here.