FMU Kelley Center to Host Entrepreneur & Small Business Networking Event

/in , , /by

Join the FMU Kelley Center for an exciting evening of networking and collaboration at our Entrepreneur & Small Business Networking event. Whether you’re a seasoned small business owner or just starting out, this event is the perfect opportunity to connect with other entrepreneurs, exchange ideas, and build valuable relationships in a casual and friendly environment.

This free networking event will take place at The Continuum (208 W Main Street) in Lake City on Monday, August 17th from 5:30pm-7:00pm.

For more information, click here.

Prisma Health Urgent Care Cuts Ribbon on Chamber Membership

/in , , , /by

Prisma Health Urgent Care cuts their ribbon along with Chamber Ambassadors joining the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

Prisma Health Urgent Care is proud to announce the opening of its newest location in Florence, South Carolina, expanding access to convenient, high-quality health care for residents, families, employers, and visitors throughout the Pee Dee region. Located on West Palmetto Street, the new center provides walk-in medical care seven days a week, helping patients receive prompt treatment without the long wait times often associated with emergency rooms.

As part of the trusted Prisma Health network, Prisma Health Urgent Care is committed to delivering exceptional patient experiences through compassionate care, modern facilities, and convenient access to healthcare services. The Florence center offers treatment for a wide range of non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries, including colds, flu, respiratory infections, allergies, ear infections, cuts, sprains, strains, minor fractures, and burns. Additional services include on-site X-ray, laboratory testing, sports and school physicals, occupational medicine services, workers’ compensation injury care, drug and alcohol testing, vaccinations, and wellness screenings. Most major insurance plans are accepted, and affordable self-pay options are available. Walk-in during our extended hours or book ahead to reserve your spot online.

To read the full story, click here.

Junior Leadership Florence County Holds Retreat

/in , , /by

This past weekend, the 2026–2027 Jr. Leadership Florence County / 4-H Class gathered at the SC FFA Camp for the programs opening retreat. This is the 12th year for the JLFC program serving sophomore and junior high school students of Florence County.

Throughout the retreat, participants challenged themselves through team-building activities, leadership development experiences, and opportunities to build lasting friendships. Each student stepped outside their comfort zones, discovered their individual strengths, and began developing the leadership skills that will guide them throughout the year.

We are excited to welcome another outstanding class of young leaders and can’t wait to see all they accomplish over the next ten months. Their journey officially begins, and we look forward to seeing them reconvening for their first monthly session, Leadership Exploration Day, in August.

The Jr. Leadership Florence County 4-H Program is made possible through the partnership of Clemson Extension Florence County – Florence County 4-H, the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce and Francis Marion University.

A special thank you to the SC FFA Camp staff for their outstanding hospitality and to Florence County School District Two for providing transportation for the student participants.

To see more photos from the retreat, click here.

MUSC Hollings Cancer Center Holds Groundbreaking Ceremony

/in , , /by

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

/in , , /by

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

/in , , /by

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

/in , , /by

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

/in , , /by

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

/in , , /by

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.