Florence Earns National Recognition For Veterans Day Event

Florence Veterans Park will be one of 66 sites nationwide — and one of two in South Carolina — that will be a Veterans Association recognized site for its Veterans Day observance.

Each year, the Veterans Day National Committee — comprised of representatives from nearly 50 organizations dedicated to serving and supporting America’s Veterans — plays host to the annual Veterans Day observance at Arlington National Cemetery. On Nov. 11, the ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. with the laying of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and continue inside the Memorial Amphitheater with a parade of colors by veterans’ organizations and remarks from dignitaries.

To read the full story, click here.

Post And Courier To Host Coffee and Conversations

The Post and Courier Pee Dee is holding an event called Coffee & Conversations to let members of the Pee Dee community meet our reporters, bring any news ideas or feedback, etc. The event will be held on Wednesday, November 8th, on the second floor of the LMEC Building downtown from 8:30-10:00 AM.  Reserve your seat today!

Pee Dee Hearing Center Featured On ChamberLink Radio

Celly Kahn, Executive Director of the Pee Dee Hearing Center, was on ChamberLink Radio this weekend to talk about their efforts to serve the Pee Dee region and even beyond as well as the Hearing Centers well-trained and experienced staff who believe strongly that effective communication is an essential human need.

You can catch the conversations on ChamberLink Radio each Sunday from 12:00-12:30pm on LIVE 95.3FM in Florence, SC.

ChamberLink Radio is brought to you by the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce and The UPS Stores.

SBA Meet and Greet

Join the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce for an informative Meet and Greet with the US Small Business Administration. The event will be held at the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce (100 West Evans Street) from 2-4pm. SBA representatives will be on hand to discuss:

  • SBA products and services
  • Financial Assistance for small business
  • Working with the Federal Government
  • Q&A with professionals

For more information, click here.

South Carolina Ports Authority Luncheon

The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce was proud to help support the South Carolina Ports Pee Dee Economic Impact Update Luncheon held at Florence Center on Monday, October 23rd.

SC Ports President and CEO Barbara Melvin addressed the crowd of more than 140 local business leaders that attended the luncheon.

Having a top 10 U.S. container port in South Carolina makes a big economic impact on our state, and SC Ports is proud to play a role in supporting South Carolina’s economy.

SC Ports invests in port infrastructure and operations to deliver a world-class port to the thriving Southeast market. We provide excellent port service so that businesses can receive goods and access global markets.

To read the full story and to see photos from the event, click here.

Inaugural “Innovate Florence” Event Held October 26

The City of Florence hosted the inaugural Innovate Florence event last Thursday.

Innovate Florence is a partnership between the City of Florence and the Greater Florence Chamber. Through this program, local entrepreneurs have the opportunity to speak about their business and challenges they face, and the community gives them feedback and support. The goal is to bring attention to local entrepreneurs, as well as break down barriers and form meaningful connections in our small business community.

Presenters were Temple Robinson of Temple Robinson Coaching and Angela Pecca of Consider the Lilies.

To see photos from the event, click here.

Blue Crescent Arms Joins Florence Chamber

Caleb Alsup, owner of Blue Crescent Arms along with family, friends, Marlboro Chamber and Chamber Ambassador cuts his ceremonial ribbon while joining the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

Blue Crescent Arms is a small veteran-owned business dedicated to providing high quality products to the avid hunters and fisherman. They are a military family who diligently served in the US Army for 10 years. Caleb was born and raised in SC and a Citadel grad; it was important to him that his family come back to their roots. They have established their homestead in Marlboro County and enjoy our small menagerie of animals when they are not running the store.

To read the full story, click here.

Remote Work Rate Drops to Lowest Levels Since Early 2021

The number of individuals working from home across the country has declined to its lowest level since the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic according to new data released by the U.S. Census Bureau. At its peak in early 2021, 37 percent of households across the country had one individual working remotely at least one day a week. Now, the number has declined to 26 percent. Additionally, the percentage of job postings offering remote work flexibility has declined over the past year going from a peak of 10.3 percent to 8.1 percent. The report also tracks state-by-state work from home (WFH) rates, revealing that Colorado has the highest WFH rate at 38.3 percent and Wyoming has the lowest at 12.9 percent.

According to the Census Bureau data, South Carolina has the 15th lowest WFH rate in the country at 21 percent. The state’s early pandemic peak was 25.6 percent. The monthly Palmetto Business Barometer survey administered by the SC Chamber and the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) tracks a variety of business conditions and attitudes, including the percentage of businesses’ workforce working remotely. On average, 59 percent of respondents say that their workforce spends zero time working remotely, with 41 percent of respondents sharing that their workforce spends anywhere from 25 to 100 percent of their time working remotely. In September, 64 percent of respondents said that their workforce spent zero time working remotely. To view the latest Palmetto Business Barometer data.

To read the full story, click here.

Chi Iota Chapter Of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc Is Hosting Its Annual Achievement Week Banquet

The Chi Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc is hosting its annual Achievement Week Banquet. This banquet pays homage to our dear fraternity and honors our chapter’s achievements over the past year. The theme this year is “Omega men promoting a harmonious future through friendship and service.”

The attire is black tie. A meal is included with the purchase of a ticket. Dr. Timothy Hunter will be the speaker for this occasion.

To register, click here.

CARE House Of The Pee Dee Joins Santa In Spreading Holiday Cheer

Santa’s helpers at the CARE House of the Pee Dee brighten the Holiday Season with Letters from Santa campaign through December 1, 2023.

The CARE House of the Pee Dee is kicking off their annual Letters from Santa campaign, a fundraiser in which children receive personalized letters – and Nice List Certificates – from Santa Claus with the help of the elves at the CARE House. The tradition, which benefits the work of the local Children’s Advocacy Center, started in 2016 and has become a seasonal favorite for many local families and children in foster care.

To read the full press release, click here.