Former Home of McLeod Health Founder Now Foundation’s Home

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McLeod Health unveiled a historical marker in front of the home of its founder, Dr. F.H. McLeod, on Thursday, May 19. The unveiling event also included an Open House for the McLeod Health Foundation with tours of their new office location for community members and McLeod employees.

Jill Bramblett, Executive Director of the McLeod Health Foundation, welcomed attendees to the McLeod House and introduced McLeod Health President and CEO Donna Isgett.

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School Foundation Awards $130,000 to F1S

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The School Foundation recently announced it will distribute a total of $130,000 in grants to Florence 1 Schools for the 2022-23 school year. The announcement was made at a reception for the grant writers at the Floyd Conference Center on Monday, May 16. The grants committee funded six grants submitted by F1S educators.

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SC Economists Update Revenue Estimates

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Last week, the South Carolina Board of Economic Advisors (BEA) held its quarterly meeting where they announced that they had raised the General Fund Revenue forecast for FY2021-22 by an additional $952 million in one-time revenue. The BEA also raised its estimated General Fund Revenue forecast for FY2022-23 by an additional $335 million and revised its estimates to note that lawmakers will have an additional $1.92 billion in recurring revenue and $4.06 billion in one-time surplus, non-recurring revenue at their disposal for the FY2022-23 budget process. The main economic drivers of the revised forecasts include record sales tax collections, and higher than expected income and corporate income tax collections.

The announcement by the BEA was timely, as lawmakers began the first of many conference deliberations on the FY2022-23 budget. The additional $952 million in one-time revenue could be used to resolve some of the outstanding differences between the House and Senate versions of the budget. House Speaker Murrell Smith (R-Sumter), one of the House members of the conference committee, cautioned negotiators on how they spend the additional revenue noting that the BEA’s estimated General Fund Revenue forecast for FY2022-23 is 7% lower than the estimate for FY2021-22.

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SCSU Harry Carson Invitational Golf Tournament to be Held at Traces Golf Club

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This year’s event will be held Monday, June 20th, at the well-manicured Traces Golf Course in Florence, SC. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. with tee-off at 11 a.m. The cost for this event is only $100.00. This price includes entry into all events, 18 holes of golf, riding cart, snacks, dinner and various awards.

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Chamber Now Accepting Applications for 2022 – 2023 Leadership Florence Class

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Leadership Florence is a comprehensive nine-month program designed to identify, cultivate and motivate new leadership for the Greater Florence Area.  Participants will increase their knowledge of the Greater Florence area and enhance their involvement in community activities while further developing their leadership skills.

The program begins with a Meet & Greet in August and ends with graduation in June 2023.  Sessions are one full day per month.

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Registration is Open for the 2022 Emerging Leaders Summer Institute

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The Emerging Leaders Summer Institute is a program designed to generate professional training and development, mentorship, community engagement and recruitment opportunities.

The purpose is to identify, develop and empower “Emerging Leaders”, specifically minorities, small business owners and innovative professionals poised to move into the next level of community and business leadership.

Program Strategies:

  • Communicate with community leaders and businesses
  • Professional and personal leadership development and civic engagement
  • Extensive networking with a diverse group of peers
  • Discovering your strengths and how to apply them as a leader

To find out more, click here.

Caliber Home Loans Joins the Chamber

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Caliber Home Loans celebrated joining the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, May 25 with a ribbon cutting. Joining in the celebration were Chamber ambassadors. Caliber Home Loans is at 653 S. Coit St. in Florence.

Sales Manager Renee Broach opened her storefront location on Oct. 1, 2022. Caliber Home Loans is a mortgage lender for home loans.

Broach said plans are to grow and eventually to purchase her own building.

“I’ll have to grow a little more before having my own brick-and-mortar building,” Broach said. “We are trying to expand our local footprint.” The company has locations in Charleston, Myrtle Beach and Columbia.

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Adore Taxes Holds Ribbon Cutting

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Adore Taxes LLC held a ribbon cutting Monday, April 25th to celebrate joining the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

Cutting the ribbon was owner Tiffanie R. McLaughlin. She was joined by chamber ambassadors, staff, family and friends.

Adore Tax service is located at 604 S. Coit St. in Florence.

McLaughlin started doing taxes in December 2017. After managing a local tax service for several years, she decided to branch out on her own. She opened her tax service in July 2021.

In December, McLaughlin will complete her degree and add accounting and bookkeeping services.
“My plan is to open another office before next tax season,” McLaughlin said.

And her ultimate goal is to franchise her business.

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Housing Authority of Florence Holds Ribbon Cutting For New Location on Palmetto Street

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The Housing Authority of Florence held a ribbon cutting and tour of the facility on Wednesday, April 27th to celebrate the opening of its new location on West. Palmetto Street.

Ambassadors of the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce assisted with the ribbon cutting.

In operation for the past 54 years, the Housing Authority moved from 400 E. Pine St. to its new location at 2640 W. Palmetto St., a property it purchased in January 2019. The agency serves people in upper Florence, Chesterfield, Dillon and Marlboro counties.

In the move in October, 2021, all administrative staff members, except for community managers, were brought under one roof.

Before the move, the administrative staff was housed in three or four different buildings. With the transformation of the former Food Lion purchase, the Housing Authority has turned about 15,000 square feet of the facility into office space. The majority of the staff members are now all in one location, which allows them to have meetings in-house, have more events for their residents and provide more resources for them.

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Vibez843 Joins the Chamber and Celebrates with Ribbon Cutting

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Vibez843 bar and lounge celebrated joining the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce with a ribbon cutting on Thursday, April 21st. The lounge is at 104 Kansas Drive in Florence.

Owner Tameka Thomas was joined by her husband, Titus Thomas, and her three children, Tiana Thomas, Morgan Thomas and Jazzmyne Pipkins, in cutting the ribbon. Chamber ambassadors joined in the celebration.

The lounge, which serves a full menu, opened in October 2019 and has undergone a complete renovation.

Thomas said the location was original a nightclub, turned gentlemen’s lounge, and now lounge and bar for a mature clientele.

In the daytime, Thomas said, she serves a full menu that includes honey-glazed salmon, salmon bites, chicken quesadillas, chopped cheese glizzy bun, vegetables, wings and other food. Lamb chops are served on Wednesdays.

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