Florence Chamber Holds Annual Fall Legislative Breakfast

Expect growth and development to continue in the City of Florence and Florence County.

That was the overarching theme of presentations by Florence City Council member Chaquez McCall and Florence District 1 County Council member Jason Springs at Friday’s Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce’s Fall 2022 Legislative Breakfast at the Florence Center. More than 200 people attended the twice a year event.

South Carolina Department of Transportation Secretary Christy A. Hall gave the keynote address and an update on various road and bridge projects happening in Florence County and across South Carolina.

McCall and Springs focused on city and county projects that will attract visitors, businesses and industries and jobs to the city and county.

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American Recruiters Joins The Florence Chamber

Sandy Poston, independent franchise owner/operator/recruiter for American Recruiters in Johnsonville held a ribbon cutting on Wednesday in the James Allen Plaza in downtown Florence celebrating her company’s membership in the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce. She was joined by chamber staff and ambassadors as she cut the ribbon.

Poston said American Recruiters is a 40-year-old national recruiting firm that partners with companies and organizations, to “source, recruit and deliver” exceptional talent in all areas related to supply chain management logistics and more.

Poston specializes in direct hire placements.

“I have firsthand experience in manufacturing and understand the skills and knowledge required in just about every aspect of a facility,” Poston said. “I know what questions to ask, what qualifies someone for different levels of responsibility, and whether they would be a good fit for managing processes or managing people, and whether they are a leader, or an individual contributor. I peel back the layers of the candidate so I expose my clients to those I personally have vetted and am confident are a good fit for one another.”

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Young Professionals of Florence Hold Costume Party As Their October Social

Young Professionals held their October Social, a costume party, on Thursday, October 20th from 6:00 – 8:00 pm on the Victors Patio!

Chamber Sales and Marketing Manager Position

The Greater Florence Commerce mission is to promote and enhance a favorable business climate and to make Florence the best community in which to live and operate a business. With that in mind, we are looking to fill a Sales and Marketing role at the Chamber.

This position is responsible for advertising sales in the Chamber’s Newcomers Guide and Membership Directory publications along with the coordination and production of those products. Responsible for Chamber Website advertising and monthly newsletter production.  Other roles include working as the Chamber representative on the Jr. Leadership Florence County partnership program.

Qualifications

  • The applicant must have previous experience in marketing and sales.
  • Must have high school diploma. Prefer a college degree in marketing, sales or equivalent.
  • Must have strong oral and writing skills.
  • Must be comfortable in public forums
  • Must be familiar with computers and knowledgeable with MS software and data programs.

Please send resume to:

Sales/Marketing Position
Florence Chamber of Commerce
100 W Evans St
Florence, SC 29501

The City Center Market Tent or Treat Event Is Back

The City Center Market Tent or Treat event is finally back! Come have a spooky time with us on October 29th from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at 200 Sanborn Street.

Wear your costume, bring your trick or treat bag and be ready for some hauntingly good fun!

Innovative Construction Group Dedicated Manufacturing Facility

Innovative Construction Group dedicated its 200,000 square foot manufacturing facility at 2570 Florence Harllee Blvd. in a ceremony Thursday, October 20th.

Innovative Construction Group, a subsidiary of PulteGroup, Inc., announced its decision to establish operations in Florence in December 2021. The company invested $35.6 million in equipment at the Florence facility, which will eventually employ 179.

The company already has hired 60 employees, and is looking for more. Individuals interested in joining the Innovative Construction Group team should visit the company’s website — www.icgbuilds.com/careers/ — for more information.

Florence Chamber Participates in “Doing Business With” Seminar

The Greater Florence Chamber was proud to join the City of Florence, The City of Lake City, Florence County and South Carolina Procurement in presenting at a Doing Business with Local Government seminar on Thursday.

Business leaders from across the region heard about ways to grow and develop their businesses through minority business procurement programs, technical support and networking opportunities.

Fatz Cafe Cuts Ribbon to Celebrate Joining The Chamber

Fatz Café held a ribbon cutting on Thursday, October 20th to celebrate joining the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce. Chamber staff and ambassadors participated in the event. General Manager Ashley Morrison cut the ribbon.

The Fatz restaurant serves lunch and dinner and caters. It is located at 2007 W. Lucas St. in Florence and has been serving the community for about 20 years. Fatz is headquartered in Greenville. There are 21 restaurants in the group.

The restaurant specializes in Southern cuisine that includes ribs, steak, chicken and seafood.

Morrison has been the general manager for about two years. She works with a staff of about 25.

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2022 Kickin’ Chicken Wing & Chili Festival A Success

The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce held their 8th annual Kick’in Chicken Wing and Chili Festival Friday evening in Downtown Florence.

Thousands tasted the variety of wings and chili recipes of area cooks and enjoyed the cool October evening with music by the Inland Band.

Jay Lavrinc and Les Echols from the Chamber present the winners plaques.

Winners of the wings cooking:

First place – Mac’s BBQ

Second place – Back Porch BBQ

Third place – Wholly Smokin’

Winners of the chili cooking:

First place – Rollin’ Smoke

Second place – Mac’s BBQ

The main event sponsors for the festival include Raines Hospitality, Synergi Partners and Wilcox, Buyck and Williams with additional support from South Carolina Federal Credit Union, MPD Electric Cooperative, Florence Regional Arts Alliance and Victors Downtown.

Thanks to all of our cookers as well as the wing and chili judges.

To see more photos, click here.

Out Standing Deep Cleaning Service Joins The Chamber

Outstanding Deep Cleaning Service LLC held a ribbon cutting on Tuesday at the James Allen Plaza on Dargan Street celebrating its membership in the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce. Owner George Anthony Brunson cut the ribbon. He was joined by chamber staff and ambassadors.

Brunson has been in business for two years. He said said his dad had a cleaning company. Brunson is originally from Syracuse. New York. He moved south in 1996 to be near family.

“My first job was in law enforcement,” he said.

Brunson was a corrections officer for about six years. He also worked for a cleaning service in this area.

Brunson said friends kept telling him to start his own business.

He observed that a lot of cleaning companies did really do more than empty trash and vacuum. He decided to go into business for himself and provide deep-cleaning services. Brunson said his staff of five cleans around the windows and baseboards, buffs and waxes floors, cleans carpets and bathrooms and takes out the trash. He said he does commercial cleaning but hopes to branch out into the residential market soon.

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