Florence and Hartsville Chamber Members Voice Their Concerns at Grassroots Luncheon

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The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce joined to present the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce Annual Grassroots Tour on Wednesday, September 7th.

This year’s luncheon meeting was held at the Darlington Raceway Media Center and engaged those attending in a survey.

Each year, the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce partners with regional chambers of commerce throughout state to present the S.C. Chamber’s Alliance Grassroots Tour to share a state legislative update for area businesses.

The interactive luncheon offers the state and local chambers an opportunity to hear from local business and industry around the state regarding state legislative issues and business concerns.

The State Chamber’s Director of Government Affairs, Will Frierson, said they have made nine stops so far. Before the tour is over 46 local chambers will be heard from at 23 stops.

To read the full story, click here.

Governor Declares September Workforce Development Month in South Carolina

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On Wednesday, September 7th, Governor Henry McMaster joined the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (SCDEW), the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance (SCMA), and Michelin North America at the Michelin Tire Plant in Lexington, SC, to officially declare September as Workforce Development Month in South Carolina. SC Chamber President and CEO Bob Morgan spoke on the state’s workforce challenges and future at the proclamation press conference.

SCWORKS and SCDEW are hosting and promoting events for job seekers and employers throughout the month of September in honor of Workforce Development Month. Visit their pages to check the events available to you.

View an excerpt of his remarks here.

“Wage Inflation” and “Job Switching” Remain Challenges for Employers

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As employers continue to face a tight labor market, “wage inflation” and “job switching” continue to impact employers’ ability to recruit and retain employees. Recent quarterly data published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that total wage and benefits costs for employers in the Southeast rose by 5.8% from 2021 levels.

Additional data published by the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta showed that while overall total wage growth rose by 6.7% in July 2022, wage growth for “job switchers” grew by 8.5% compared to 5.9% for “job stayers” which is the largest gap in decades. The data underscores the challenge employers face in the current labor market as both job-seeking individuals and existing employees have high levels of leverage when negotiating wages or requesting raises, given the record number of job openings in the United States and South Carolina. “Job switching” remains high in both the U.S. and in S.C., with data showing that nearly 4.2 million U.S. workers left their jobs in July, and nearly 82,000 S.C. workers left their jobs in June – the second highest number on record.

For more information, click here.

Free Seminar: Doing Business with Local Government

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Join the City of Florence as they host a Doing Business with Local Government Seminar on Thursday, October 20th beginning at 9:00 AM at the City Center.  The purpose of this event is to increase minority participation in the local government procurement process. Kindly RSVP by October 14th.

For more information or to register, click here.

Young Professionals of Florence to Host Lunch & Learn – This Thursday

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Join the Young Professionals of Florence as they host their next Lunch and Learn this Thursday, September 15th, from 12:00 – 1:00 PM at the Hyatt Place. Enjoy a delicious taco bar while Regi Armstrong with Armstrong Wealth talks about inflation to the group.

To register or for more information, click here.

Blessings Beyond Blessings Joins Florence Chamber

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Blessings Beyond Blessings Homecare celebrated joining the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, September 8th with a ribbon cutting. Owner Iris Robinson cut the ribbon. She was joined by family, friends, and Chamber staff and ambassadors.

A home health care service, Blessings Beyond Blessings is in the Gould Business Incubator Center Room 137 at SiMT, 1951 Pisgah Road.

“I love people, I am excited for this moment,” Robinson said. “I thank God. With God you can do anything.”

Robinson said she encourages other not to give up on their dream or their passion.

To read the full story, click here.

Protect Your Period Joins Florence Chamber

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Protect Your Period held a ribbon cutting in the James Allen Plaza on Wednesday, September 7th celebrating joining the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce. Tonya Goines, product awareness ambassador, cut the ribbon. She was joined by Chamber staff and ambassadors.

Since February of this year, Goines has been a retailer for Reign Premium Sanitary Napkins. Goines said the product offers women a not-toxic alternative that may help reduce infections, cramps and clots. Reign pads are infused with “graphene.”

As a retailer for the company, Goines said she wants to introduce her product to Florence and the surrounding area and to sell the Reign product to companies, nonprofits and individuals. She said this product is not sold in stores but online.

“I would like to serve retailers and all women and girls,” she said.

To read the full story, click here.

Emerging Leaders Summer Institute Holds Graduation

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The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce held a graduation ceremony for the 2022 Emerging Leaders Summer Institute on Wednesday evening, September 7th at the Chamber.

Congratulations to the 2022 Emerging Leaders Cohorts:
Jarrod Bell – PDRTA
Sharonda Eagle – Lighthouse Ministries
Glaceria Mason – Diversity Works Magazine
Carron McNeal- Pee Dee Coalition
Nathaniel Rowell Jr – America’s Choice Realty
Trey Smith III – PDRTA
Ken Swaringer II – Greater Gethsamane Apostolic Church

Spherion to Hold Community Appreciation Cookout

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Join Spherion on Friday, August 19th at the Spherion Office located at 519 W Evans St from 3:00 – 6:00 PM.  Come enjoy concessions and refreshments!

For more information, click here.

South Carolina Falls Well Below the National Average in Property Taxes

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See where South Carolina stands on property taxes using the link below. The average American household spends $2,471 on property taxes for their homes each year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and residents of the 27 states with vehicle property taxes shell out another $445. Considering these figures and the massive amount of debt in America, it should come as no surprise that more than $14 billion in property taxes go unpaid each year, according to the National Tax Lien Association.

To read the full story, click here.