The Florence Chamber has a division specifically dedicated to Community & Minority Enterprise, with a special emphasis on helping small and minority business owners succeed. The activities of this division encompass community and local business outreach. At its core, it has programs that focus on community betterment and local business opportunities for companies, small business owners and minority business operators. The Chamber has made significant efforts to offer and promote diversity and programs that help small and minority businesses succeed. Those include PRISM (Promoting the Inclusion of Small and Minority Businesses,) Building Bridges, our Business of the Quarter outreach program in conjunction with the City of Florence, the Shark Chamber Business Pitch Competition, Small Business Expos and Seminars and semiannual Legislative Breakfasts geared toward small business concerns.

Community & Minority Enterprise

cropped Les Echols, Director of Community & Minority EnterpriseFor more information on minority business resources, contact:

Les Echols

Director of Community & Minority Enterprise

Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce

(843) 519-0934 or [email protected]

Chamber Minority Business Programs:

The Florence Chamber’s PRISM program (Promoting the Inclusion of Small and Minority Business) is comprised of a committee of individuals whose focus is developing action plans, events and programs focused on the inclusion of small and minority businesses. Through efforts such as Small Business Expos, Legislative Breakfasts and Small and Minority Seminars and Workshops, PRISM helps to shine a spotlight on inclusion.


The Florence Chamber’s Building Bridges program helps to engage the community by addressing racial and cultural diversity through a structured process. During the program, members of the community get to hear from speakers trained in diversity awareness, as well as members of the local faith community. Building Bridges helps to change attitudes and minds through educational and consciousness-raising sessions, with an emphasis focused on the workplace.


Minority Business Resources and Links:

Click on the image next to each description below to visit the associated website.

  • Carolinas-Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council

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    Promotes relationships between the public/private sector and certified minority-owned businesses that operate within North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia

  • Hispanic Connections of South Carolina Inc.

    hispanicProvides translation and interpretation services, publishes SC Hispanic business directory and offers networking and marketing solutions

  • SC Jobs-Economic Development Authority

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    Assists in the financing of public and private projects, issues special obligation bonds and acts on behalf of the borrower to access financial markets and capital