2026 -2027 Fellows in Education Kickoff

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Last week the 2026 -2027 Fellows in Education class began their journey through the 9-month program with Florence 1 Schools.

The first visit was McLaurin Elementary School, a 3K-2nd grade public Montessori school here in Florence. The class got a firsthand look at what makes Montessori learning so special. School Principle, Mrs. Amy Williams, and the school administration, shared information about the Montessori method, explored the unique classroom setup, and provided a glimpse into the purposeful, hands-on learning happening every day.

The Fellows program is designed to give community leaders a unique, behind-the-scenes look into several schools within Florence 1 Schools over a nine-month period.

The Fellows In Education program is a partnership project between Florence 1 Schools, the School Foundation and the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

To see more photos from the session, click here.

Kickin’ Chicken Wing & Chili Fest Featured on Small Town USA

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In Florence, South Carolina…the Kickin’ Chicken Wing & Chili Festival kicks off on Friday, October 16th, bringing an evening packed with wings, chili, cold drinks, and live music to downtown Florence. Running from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m., this annual Greater Florence Chamber event turns the downtown streets into a big outdoor food festival, with several wing and chili vendors competing for first place. You can walk from stand to stand trying different recipes, from saucy chicken wings to bowls of homemade-style chili, while checking out other food choices available throughout the festival. A wide selection of domestic and craft beer will be served along with wine, water, and Pepsi products. Music is also a big part of the night, with Chocolate Chip & Company Band performing live from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The mix of cooking teams, food stands, music, and crowds gives the whole downtown area the feel of a lively fall street party. If you love wings or chili, you’ll have plenty of different flavors to try while enjoying four hours of food, drinks, and live entertainment.

To read the original story, click here.

United Way of Florence County’s Day of Caring

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More than 300 volunteers fanned out across Florence County on Friday, September 18, completing 68 service projects as part of United Way of Florence County’s annual Day of Caring, presented by PGBA/BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina.

Throughout the day, volunteer teams tackled projects for local nonprofits and community organizations ranging from building repairs, landscaping, and cleaning to painting, supply drives, and packing and delivering meals.

The annual event is designed to connect local nonprofits with volunteers who can provide the extra hands, time and resources needed to accomplish projects that may otherwise remain on their to-do lists.

To read the full press release, click here.

Habitat for Humanity Hosts Groundbreaking

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A groundbreaking was held for our newest Partner Family on Friday, August 28th, marking an exciting first step on their journey toward a safe, affordable and stable place to call home.

There is something incredibly meaningful about watching a home take shape from the ground up. A place that will soon be filled with laughter, memories, family dinners, celebrations, and countless moments that make a house a home. Most importantly, it will be a safe and stable place for this sweet family to grow in and create memories that will last a lifetime.

We are incredibly grateful to our sponsors, Board of Directors, community leaders, volunteers, and everyone who joined us to celebrate this special milestone. Your generosity, partnership, and continued support make moments like this possible and allow Greater Florence Habitat for Humanity to continue building homes, strengthening communities, and creating hope for local families.

To read the full press release, click here.

Jason Cox Named CEO of MUSC Health Pee Dee Division

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The Greater Florence Chamber wishes to congratulate Jason Cox on being named CEO of the MUSC Health Pee Dee Division.

Jason has served with MUSC Health for 5 years and was named interim CEO of the division when Jay Hinesley left to become CEO of Tidelands Health, a MUSC partnership.

Jason will now lead MUSC medical centers in Florence, Marion and Black River, as well as the Jean and Hugh K. Leatherman Behavioral Care Pavilion on Dargan Street in Downtown Florence.

Jason is also a member of the Greater Florene Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and is currently serving as Chair-Elect of the Florence Chamber Board.

Rev Up For The 2nd Annual Bethea Cruise-In

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Shine ’em up and cruise on over to Bethea for an evening of classic cars, hot rods, muscle cars, vintage rides, live music, food, fellowship, and fun!

Bring your favorite ride to show off—or simply come out to admire the classics, swap stories, and spend time with our Bethea residents and fellow car enthusiasts.

The event will take place on Thursday, October 22 from 5:30–7:00 PM
at 157 Home Avenue, Darlington, SC 29532. Live Music by The Emeralds!

Bringing a car is not required, everyone is welcome!

For more information, call April or Susie at 843-395-4402.

To view the flyer, click here.

Mark Your Calendars! Chamber’s 2026 Fall Community Breakfast Set For November 6th

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The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce is holding the 2026 Fall Community Breakfast on Friday, November 6th at The Florence Center, 3300 W Radio Dr.

This year’s program will be presented by the city of Florence. City officials and presenters will talk about Telling Our Story: Why Choose Florence? And the answer is – Because sometimes the best things happening in our community are the things we don’t hear enough about.

A great deal is happening every day in our great city and sometimes we are not aware of the significant accomplishments we have made as a city over recent years. Join us as we find out all the city has been up to and what is brewing in the future years.

The Chamber’s Community/Legislative Breakfast is an informational gathering held twice each year. Topics range from state and local representatives providing legislative updates to local concerns centered on government, community safety, health care, and education. The breakfast is open to business and civic leaders as well as the public.

The doors for breakfast will open at 7:30 a.m. and the program begins at 7:50 a.m.

Registration is required to attend: $30 for Chamber members and $40 for non-members. Special reserved tables of 8 are available for $260.  The breakfast is made possible by Signature Wealth Group and First Reliance Bank.

7-Eleven Cuts Ribbon on Chamber Membership

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7 Eleven announced its grand opening on September 18th with a ribbon cutting that welcomed them to the Greater Chamber of Commerce. Cutting the ribbon were store manager Dallas and dignitaries from 7 Eleven along with Chamber Ambassadors.

The new store is located at 6550 East Palmetto St. The bright new store offers the convenience of food and gas in one location. 7-Eleven in the sells Slurpee drinks, and Big Gulp beverages. Other products include: 7-Select private-brand products, coffee, fresh-made daily sandwiches, fresh fruit, salads, bakery items, hot and prepared foods, gasoline, dairy products, carbonated beverages and energy drinks, juices, donuts, financial services, and product delivery services.

The chain was founded in 1927 as the Southland Ice Company, operating an icehouse storefront in Dallas. Owned by the Southland Corporation, the chain expanded its convenience stores and renamed them Tote’m Stores between 1928 and 1946. The Southland Corporation changed the stores’ name to 7-Eleven in 1946 to reflect their expanded hours of operation (7 a.m. to 11 p.m.).

To read the full story, click here.

Voice of Small Business Social Scheduled for October 8

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Join the Florence Chamber for a PRISM/Voice of Small Business Social on Thursday, October 8th, 2026, between 5:30 PM and 7:00 PM.

This social gathering of entrepreneurs, small business owners and executives will be held at the Clubhouse of 250 West Apartments, located at 250 West Dunbarton Drive in Florence.

Join us for an evening of food, fun and networking. Register here.

Author, Eric Swanson Coming To Florence on October 1

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What could happen if Florence’s churches, nonprofits, businesses, and neighbors worked together to address the needs of our city?

Helping Florence Flourish is inviting the community to explore that question at To Transform a City: An Evening with Eric Swanson on Thursday, October 1, at 6:30 p.m. at New Ebenezer’s SHEREC. Eric will join local leaders, like Chief Angela Green and Carl Humphries, on a panel for a conversation about working together to help Florence flourish.

The evening is open to everyone, and we hope people from across Florence will be part of the conversation. Guests are encouraged to RSVP to reserve a seat; the details are on the attached flyer.