Free Virtual Workshop – Reach Customers Online with Google

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Join The Kelley Center for Economic Development at Francis Marion University and SCORE Grand Strand for this free virtual workshop to be held on Thursday, May 11th from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.

Attendees will walk away with free tools, a proven plan, and messaging strategies they can implement in their marketing immediately – no matter their level of marketing “know-how” or expertise. Learn how customers find your business online and how to promote your business (especially during the pandemic) using Google My Business profiles, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), and Smart Campaigns in Google Ads.

In this webinar we’ll discuss best practices for:

Improving your website’s visibility in Google’s organic search results, on all devices, Creating a free Google My Business listing, Advertising your business on Google, Strategies and tips for social media, content, and email marketing.

To register, click here.

Florence Officials Break Ground Today On Phase One Of Urban Square Project

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Florence officials will break ground Monday on the first phase of the city’s $65 million Urban Square project, which will bring apartments, town-homes, office space and a hotel to the downtown area.

Phase 1 of the project includes an apartment complex and a parking deck, while Phase 2 will have a hotel and 40,000 square feet of office space. The final phase will be Brownstone-style townhomes.

Currently, the occupancy rate in downtown Florence is about 6%, Assistant City Manager Clint Moore said. In order to meet the growing demand as more people and businesses migrate to the downtown area, he said the city needed to look outside of what most people consider the historic district.

Florence Chamber Of Commerce & City of Florence Announce New Entrepreneurship

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The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce has partnered with the City of Florence to help break down barriers local entrepreneurs face and forge connections between local businesses.

The project is called Innovate Florence, said Les Echols, director of community and minority enterprise for the chamber of commerce. At the event, business owners will be able to speak about problems they face and the Florence business community will be able to give them feedback and support.

“Some other communities have been very successful with similar programs,” Echols said.  The event is currently set to take place in the fall, but no date has been set yet.

Florence Mayor Teresa Myers Ervin said that small businesses are the “lifeblood” of Florence but sometimes entrepreneurs need help to get started.

To read the full story, click here.

MUSC Health To Host Wellness Wednesday

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MUSC Business Health presents a Virtual Lunch & Learn covering “Virtual Care as a Solution For Access & Convenience” featuring Emily H. Warr, MSN, RN from the MUSC Center for Telehealth on Wednesday, May 10th from 12:00 – 1:00 PM.

Short on time? Love the convenience of virtual doctor’s visits, or are you new to telehealth? Learn more about MUSC Health’s robust telehealth services and how you can easily access MUSC’s providers from the comfort of your home.

MUSC Health has also added telehealth appointments for Rheumatology and Endocrinology to its new Virtual Specialty Care service. These appointments go beyond a traditional telehealth visit and are available for new or existing rheumatology and endocrinology patients 18 years or older. Information about how this specialty care service creates positive change for patients throughout South Carolina will also be shared.

For more information, click here.

Free Virtual Workshop – Concepts of Project Management

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Join The Kelley Center for Economic Development at Francis Marion University and SCORE Grand Strand for this free virtual workshop to be held on Tuesday, May 9th from 12:00 – 1:00 PM.

The target audience for “Concepts for Project Management” are general contractors, small construction contractors and individuals considering establishing small construction business to perform home remodeling and/or small projects. In addition, it provides a basic understanding of project management terms used in contracts for the government project management environment.

Disclaimer: This workshop is not targeted for those individuals preparing to PMP certification.

To register, click here.

Walmart Supercenter On North Beltline Drive Holds Grand Re-Opening After Renovations

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The Walmart Supercenter on North Beltline Drive officially “reopened” on Friday after months of renovations.

The store now has more items for sale in every department, new signs, more registers and a mural celebrating the past and present of Florence. Florence Mayor Teresa Myers Ervin and Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce members helped representatives from Walmart cut the ceremonial ribbon to announce the reopening.

“Walmart has shown itself to be a part of our community as a good supporter of our community,” Ervin said. “Thank you for all you do in Florence.”

Before the ribbon cutting, Walmart presented checks for $2,000 to two local groups: the Florence Police Department and One Child at a Time.

To read the full story, click here.

It Was A Beautiful Day For The Chamber’s Spring Golf Classic

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On Thursday, May 4th, the Greater Florence Chamber held its annual Spring Golf Classic at Traces Golf Club, presented by Raldex Hospitality.

120 golfers enjoyed the day starting with a great lunch at 11:00am. The golfers enjoyed 16 different hospitality tee box sponsors throughout the golf course offering wings, brats, beverages, snacks, prizes and other giveaways.

To read the full list of winners and to see more photos, click here.

Florence Chamber Holds Small and Minority Business Lunch and Learn

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The Florence Chamber held a Small and Minority Business Lunch and Learn on Tuesday, May 2nd at the Chamber offices. The event was an opportunity to network and obtain valuable resources of information for maintaining, growing and developing small businesses.

The keynote speaker was Sonja Barkley, Manager of Small Business at SC Department of Commerce. Event sponsor First Bank gave a presentation on their business banking services.

To see more photos from the event, click here.

New York Life Insurance Agent Glenn Wells Joins Chamber

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Glenn Wells, Registered Representative & Insurance Agent New York Life Insurance Company joins the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

New York Life offers a variety of products and services including life insurance, long term care and disability insurance, annuities, mutual funds and other investment products, small business products, estate planning, and wealth management services.

Glenn is a Council Agent with New York Life. Glenn’s goal is to have a more active presence in the Florence community to better serve his clients. By participating in the Greater Florence Chamber, Glenn will have more opportunities to engage in local events, connecting with local businesses and individuals.

To read the full story, click here.

Realtor Katelyn Peake Cuts The Ribbon To Open Her Chamber Membership

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Katelyn Peake along with her husband and Chamber Ambassadors cuts the ribbon to open her membership with the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

Katelyn began her business in March of 2023 in Residential Real Estate Sales.  Katelyn’s aim is to provide support to our community by helping the people of the Pee Dee Region find their next home or investment opportunity and/or sell their current properties. Katelyn said “It is my aim to provide exceptional service to my clients and be a trusted advisor and partner in their real estate dealings. It is my mission to build relationships with my clients that extend far beyond the ends of their transactions.” Her goal is to help those looking to invest into the Pee Dee region and have the best buying or selling experience possible.

Katelyn can be reached at (843) 610-4374 or by going to her website at www.katelyn.florencehomesearch.com and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/katelynpeakerealestate. Her business hours are 9-5 Monday-Friday and by appointment.