Affordable Lab and Testing Solutions Holds Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Ashley Gause owner of Affordable Lab and Testing Solutions along with family, friends, and Chamber Ambassadors cuts the ribbon to join the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

Affordable Lab and Testing Solutions is a leading provider of reliable and affordable testing and support services, it offers a wide range of services for individuals and businesses seeking DOT/NON-DOT Drug Testing, DNA Testing, Phlebotomy Services, Finger Printing, Background Check Services, Notary Services, Virtual Mailbox, and U-Haul Dealer Services.

Ashley Gause, a proud retired Army veteran and college graduate, embarks on an entrepreneurial journey to provide affordable testing services. She has set her sights on a new mission – to establish herself as a prominent entrepreneur in the field of affordable testing services.

To read the full story, click here.

Florence City Third Penny Sales Tax Road Updates

The City of Florence will soon begin additional resurfacing on the following roads, as weather permits: Sheffield Drive, Cottingham Road, Southbrook Circle, Branford Road, E Thorncliff Road, Mater Lane, Shadow Birch Road, Fillmore Court, Luigi Way, Carriage Lane, Maggie Way, Carrigan Ct., Fernbank Lane, Grande Lawn Lane, Cabrillo Drive, Highlander Ct., Kentwood Drive, Woodmore Circle, Rutledge Manor Drive, Prince Alston Cove, Flint Lock Cove and Rice Hope Cove.

These efforts are a continuation of the Third Penny Sales Tax and the City of Florence is working with contractor to ensure long-term quality for these roadways.

If you have any questions or would like to see future projects, please visit our Capital Improvements page here.

To read the full story, click here.

Electric Vehicle Manufacturing In SC

Florence and South Carolina are well suited to seize the future. The state’s strong history of manufacturing and advanced manufacturing helped define the state and what it can offer businesses. Now, as those industries transform to meet the future, we are doing the same. We are committed to capitalizing on the state’s business-friendly environment and building on our existing strengths to ensure prospective electric vehicle companies know their future growth is within our borders.

This is an interesting read for those involved in the EV expansion here in the Florence area.

To read the full story, click here.

You Can Find A Business Partner At SCORE Pee Dee Branch

Get free expert help in starting your business. Our Mentors are experienced entrepreneurs, corporate managers, and executives with a diverse set of industries and specialties who volunteer their experience and knowledge to help small business professionals start, develop, and grow businesses.

We provide:

  • Volunteer MENTORS who share their expertise across many industries
  • Free, confidential business mentoring in person, via email, or by video
  • Free business TOOLS, templates, and tips here online
  • Inexpensive or free business WORKSHOPS (locally) and webinars (online 24/7)

Give us a call at (843) 665-0515 or (843) 918-1079

City Business License Renewals are Due by April 30th

Business License Renewals for all businesses and professionals within the corporate limits of the City of Florence are due April 30, 2024.

For non-payment of all or any part of the correct business license tax, the license official shall impose and collect a late penalty of 10% of the unpaid tax for each month, or portion thereof, after the due date until paid.

For more information, please call the Business License office at (843) 665-3173 or email blicense@cityofflorence.com.

Business licenses may also be renewed online at https://www.localblrenewal.com/city_of_florence/renewalinformation

South Carolina Tops The List Of Best States For Manufacturing

Digging into why the Carolinas are the manufacturing darlings of the consulting profession, Didi Caldwell says the numbers add up for both states. But South Carolina Leads the list.

“Low costs, existing workforce, low labor unionization, right-to-work, growing population, and competitive energy costs” are key factors keeping the Carolinas on top for factory projects and jobs, says Caldwell.

Dive into more insights from Site Selection Magazine‘s annual Site Selectors Survey here: https://ow.ly/EaEt50QLXuR

For more information, click here.

2024-2025 Junior Leadership Florence County Accepting Applications

Junior Leadership is now accepting applications for the prestigious 2024-2025 Junior Leadership Florence County Program. Thirty of today’s Florence County high school freshman and sophomores from across Florence County will be selected to participate in this program during their sophomore or junior year.

The Junior Leadership Florence County (JLFC) is a ten-month program in which area high school sophomores and juniors are empowered to become trustees of the Florence County community. Students will learn valuable leadership skills, government process, time management, community issue awareness, and business ethics to name a few.

To find out more details and to apply online visit https://www.jrleadershipflorencecounty.com/

The Jonathan Foundation Presents Brighter Days Conference

The Brighter Days Conference is targeted to three important audiences: Healthcare including, primary care, emergency departments, and mental health and counseling; Education, from secondary through post-secondary schools; and First Responders.

The conference, which will be held on Thursday, May 16th at the Florence Center, is underwritten by the Bruce-Lee Foundation, Nemec-Abbott Foundation, with co-collaboration by DHEC and PDMH, and sponsorships by MUSC and McLeod Health.  Jean Leatherman will provide opening remarks. MUSC System Administrative Officer will provide an update on the new Leatherman Behavioral Health Hospital, and the vision for behavioral health for the community.

The conference will provide a virtual keynote with Dr Daniel Amen of the Amen Clinics and a private VIP event for executive leadership and legislators in mental health, healthcare, education, law enforcement, and EMS to dialogue with Dr Amen and ask questions related to the developments in mental health in our community….the new hospital, the new DOMH transitions grant.

For more information or questions, please contact Dr. Lynn Bulloch, President, The Jonathan Foundation at lbulloch@tjf4teens.onmicrosoft.com

To view the full information packet, click here.

Great Southern Homes and Hurricane Builders Cut Chamber Ribbon

Great Southern Homes and Hurricane Builders are pleased to announce the Grand Opening for the new phase of Grove at Ebenezer, called Easy Living at The Grove. The Grove is a multifaceted subdivision that offers a wide range of housing, commercial opportunities, community events, a clubhouse, pool, playground, walking trails, and access to many nearby amenities. Located in West Florence, within 5 minutes to I95, I20, and all major shopping and dining.

Easy living at the Grove will have one story houses, or one story with a bonus, that range from 1500 ft.² to 2200 ft.². The idea behind this subset of the Grove is to offer low maintenance homes, with smaller yards, without sacrificing the quality of the home build. The exterior of the homes will be brick, Hardie plank, stone, or a combination of these. The interior will feature upgraded kitchens and bathrooms. As well as advanced smart home technologies and a high level of energy efficiency.

To read the full story, click here.

The Benton House Receives National Customer Service Award

Florence, SC –The Benton House of Florence was recently awarded a 2024 Pinnacle Quality Insight Customer Experience AwardTM.

Pinnacle, a customer satisfaction measurement firm specializing in healthcare, conducts over 150,000 phone surveys each year and awards communities that score in the top 15% of their more than 2,700 care providers across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.

Over the course of 2023, a regular sampling of Benton House residents and families participated in monthly telephone interviews that included open-ended questions, as well the opportunity to rate Benton House in specific categories.

To read the full press release, click here.