Annual Membership Luncheon Date & Speaker Announced
Duane Parrish, Director for the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism (SCPRT), will be the guest speaker at the Greater Florence Chamber’s Annual Membership Luncheon on Wednesday, September 23 at the Florence Center.
Parrish has dedicated more than 35 years of his professional career to the hospitality industry. He will be speaking to us about the critical role tourism plays in our great state of South Carolina and how the Pee Dee factors into the state tourism picture.
A graduate of the University of South Carolina in Business Administration, Parrish has served as an adjunct professor at the College of Charleston and Trident Technical College teaching hotel management and hospitality courses. He has also been an active member of the South Carolina Hospitality Association and once served as Chairman. Parrish has also served on several other boards for the Chamber of Commerce, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, various hotel associations, and two college advisory boards.
At the luncheon event the Chamber will also announce the Chamber’s Business Person of the Year recipient, presented by First Citizens Bank.
The Membership Luncheon doors will open at 11:30 for conversation and networking. The program will begin at 12 noon. Individual registration is $45 for members and $55 for non-members. Special reserved tables of 8 are available for $475. Seating will be limited so register early.
Duke Energy Featured on ChamberLink Radio
Mindy Taylor, Director of Government & Community Relations at Duke Energy was the Florence Chamber’s guest this past weekend, talking about hurricane preparedness as we head into peak hurricane season in the coming months.
We encourage you to tune-in every Sunday from 12:00-12:30pm on LIVE 95.3FM in Florence, SC.
This program is brought to you by the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce, MUSC Health Florence Medical Center and LIVE 95.3FM.
Looking for past ChamberLink Radio Show interviews? Click here:
Legislative Update – Budget Compromise Reached
Late Wednesday evening, members of the budget conference committee struck a compromise agreement on the states over $15 billion spending plan for FY2026-27. For weeks, House and Senate conferees had been working diligently to iron out differences between their two versions of the budget, with main points of contention centering around how much to spend on community projects and how much property tax relief to offer seniors.
For more information, click here.
HopeHealth Celebrates National Health Center Week
HopeHealth will celebrate National Health Center Week from August 2-8 with employee activities, community partner appreciation, and more.
The festivities began earlier this month, when HopeHealth Chief of Staff Sallie King and Chief Advancement Officer Derek Brown attended the Florence City Council meeting to accept a proclamation recognizing National Health Center Week in the city of Florence.
This year’s theme is “Building Innovative Care Where It Matters Most.” NACHC shared, “This year’s theme celebrates how CHCs use creativity and commitment to advance innovative solutions that meet patients where they are and improve primary care delivery, access, and outcomes nationwide. This includes partnering with key stakeholders and elected officials to strengthen relationships that support high-quality, patient-centered care in the communities they serve.”
To read the full press release, click here.
Help Shape the Future of Florence, Lee & Sumter County Trails in Public Meeting
Naturally Outdoors in Florence wants to make everyone aware that you are invited to help shape the future of regional outdoor recreation. The proposed Fox & Spur Connector is now in its public engagement phase—and your input matters.
The project is transforming a former railroad corridor into a scenic recreation trail system for walking, biking, and community connection. The proposed Fox & Spur Connector, is a 32-mile regional greenway trail project connecting communities from Sumter to Florence.
The public meeting is being held Wednesday, August 5 6:00 – 8:00 PM at The Trailhead by Naturally Outdoors, 2519 W Palmetto St, Florence, SC
Make plans to stop by during the meeting to learn about the project and vision, view maps and proposed phases, meet the project team, ask questions, and offer feedback.
Donna Isgett Earns National Recognition
Becker’s Hospital Review has named Isgett to its prestigious list of “Women Hospital and Health System Presidents and CEOs to Know,” recognizing leaders across the country who are expanding access to care, driving innovation, improving quality, and shaping the future of healthcare. Isgett is one of only two hospital CEOs in South Carolina to receive the honor this year.
For more information, click here.
FMU Evening College Classes Begin August 24
Francis Marion University is proud to offer a new opportunity for those seeking to expand their intellectual horizons: FMU’s Evening College. Choose from an array of courses that are designed to inform, enlighten, and entertain. These for-credit, non-degree courses will be taught once a week for 11 weeks by university faculty. Locations vary by course.
Fo more information, click here.
MUSC Health Dental & Oral Care Grand Opening & Business After Hours
Please join the Chamber & MUSC Health for an open house and tour of the new comprehensive dental practice and future home of the Dental General Practice Residency program, expected to open early September.
The event will be held on Tuesday, August 25th from 5:30 – 7:00 PM at MUSC Health Florence Medical Center’s Medical Pavillion C, Suite 300.
To register, click here.
