Reaching Enriching Accelerating Lives, LLC Cuts The Yellow Ribbon On Her Membership

/in , , , /by

Dr. Rechel M. Anderson owner of Reaching Enriching Accelerating Lives, LLC along with family members, community leaders, friends and Chamber Ambassadors had her ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, September 12th, joining the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

Reaching Enriching Accelerating Lives, LLC is a privately-owned, for-profit business in the State of South Carolina. It was founded by Dr. Rechel M. Anderson, CEO/Owner. Dr. Anderson, born and raised in Florence, is a graduate of West Florence High School. Dr. Rechel M. Anderson is a professional educator who enjoys serving others. More specifically, she is committed to enriching the lives of young people.

Reaching Enriching Accelerating Lives (R.E.A.L.), LLC originated as a need to provide High Management Child Caring Services in Florence, South Carolina and/or within the surrounding Pee Dee area to meet the needs of at-risk males, ages 12-21 years of age (e.g., abused/neglected, emotionally disturbed, dependent/neglected. status offenders, substance abuse, etc.).

To read the full story, click here.

Leadership Florence Holds Retreat In North Myrtle Beach

/in , , /by

The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce kicked off the Leadership Florence Class of 2024 Retreat on Sept. 11th at the Avista Resort in North Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Gina Trimarco of Pivot10 Results facilitated a wide-ranging discussion of leadership principles and strategies on Monday, followed by a dinner and a reception by the beach.

Tuesday September 12th, the class participated in a scavenger hunt/team building exercise at Wonderworks in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

To see the photos from the retreat, click here.

Senator Mike Reichenbach Addresses Crowd Last Wednesday At Chamber’s Legislative Drop In

/in , , /by

State Senator, Mike Reichenbach spoke at the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday to give local business and community leaders an update on the legislative happenings in Columbia.

Senator Reichenbach can’t be an expert on every topic that comes up in Columbia.

That’s what he told a crowd of local business and political leaders who gathered to hear him give a legislative update at the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday. Instead of trying to be an expert on everything from agriculture to veterans’ affairs, Reichenbach said, he focuses primarily on a few topics that his constituents say are the most important to them.

To read the full story, click here.

500 Townhomes Potentially Coming To The City Of Florence

/in , , /by

More than 500 town-homes could be coming northwest of the city of Florence from a longtime Pee Dee developer.

Chandler Reserve Club, located on Pisgah Road a few minutes from the Pee Dee State Farmer’s Market, is under construction and has approximately 200 houses built and are available for rent.

Jonathan Chandler, owner of Chandler Investment Properties, said they’ll continue building the houses as long as the demand is there.

Construction started in 2021 and 575 units are approved for construction.

“I really don’t know what the demand will continue to be,” Chandler said. “The economy keeps changing from time to time, inflation, job growth, things like that affect the rental business.”

Construction of the development is in the third phase, with 96 units planned for construction. Chandler said this phase would be completed mid-November.

To read the full story, click here.

Florence Center Will Host SCHSL State Basketball Semifinals & Finals

/in , , /by

“We’re ready to play ball,” Florence mayor Teresa Myers Ervin declared as perhaps the final box was checked off Thursday.

The press conference at the Florence Center marked the culmination of a partnership between the city/county and the S.C. High School League as Florence will be the sole host of the state basketball semifinals and finals for at least the next two seasons.

This will be the first time that one site will host the upper/lower state title games as well as the state title games for all classifications. The semifinals are slated for Feb. 23-28 with the finals taking place March 1-2.

For more information, click here.

End Of An Era At The Track

/in , , /by

Kerry Tharp’s favorite thing about stock car racing is the people. The Darlington Raceway president said that’s what NASCAR is all about.

In the week before his last race before retirement, Tharp spent much of his time with the people. He handed out doughnuts and sandwiches to fans, shook hands with reporters he corralled for a decade and rode around the infield on his golf cart, waving like royalty. He even held a pet lizard.

Tharp announced his retirement in June. The Sept. 3 Cook Out Southern 500 marked his last race at the The Track to Tough to Tame, and kicked off NASCAR’s playoffs.

Pictured, Kerry Tharp, Josh Harris and Chip Wile stand at a press conference announcing Harris as the new track president at Darlington Raceway.

To read the full story, click here.

American Heart Association’s Heart Walk Scheduled For October 28th

/in , , /by

Join your friends, family, and co-workers to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We’re all tied to heart disease and stroke in some way, and we must change that. By registering for the Heart Walk TODAY, you are taking the first step to save lives. Every walker who joins, every dollar donated means more research, more people trained in lifesaving CPR, more medical breakthroughs, and more champions for equitable health.

The Pee Dee Heart Walk is scheduled for Saturday, October 28th in Downtown Florence at FMU’s Performing Arts Center.  The event opens at 9:00 AM and the walk begins at 10:00 AM.

To register online, click here.

September Is Workforce Development Month

/in , , /by

Governor Henry McMaster and the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) have announced September as Workforce Development Month for the second year. McMaster mentioned in a press release, “During Workforce Development Month, we highlight the many opportunities available to our people and business community alike to help them and our state continue to prosper.” DEW Executive Director William Floyd added to that by stating, “I think the best thing about this month is how it highlights the daily collaboration, throughout South Carolina, of employers, educators, public agencies, non-profits, and community partners who are committed to enhancing and expanding our world-class workforce.”

September will be filled with job fairs, hiring events, workshops, training, rural outreach, conferences, symposiums, and many other activities to help employers strengthen their businesses and jobseekers find work. Multiple job fairs, including the Be Pro Be Proud and S.C. Works Career Coach, are already occurring across the state, like the SC@Work: Road Trips.

Visit dew.sc.gov/wdm for an interactive map showing your local area’s upcoming events, featured employers, services that S.C. Works can provide, and more. Additionally, we encourage all businesses to participate in this month’s Palmetto Business Barometer to help us better understand the conditions that South Carolina employers are facing and to inform the public about the state’s economy and workforce. Access the September survey here.

M.O.V.E. With Coach T Fitness Holds Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

/in , , , /by

Twana McRae “Coach T ” her husband, family, staff and friends joined the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

M.O.V.E. with Coach T Fitness will be offering strength training, personal training, group fitness classes, Zumba, boot camps, and so much more. “Together, we’ll help you accomplish your fitness goals. Come out and Move with Coach T!”

Our desire is to help all fitness levels reach their goals. Movement is good for our bodies and our minds. Together we’re working towards increasing knowledge about healthy habits and exercise. We have a focus to help impact our community (including our youth) with fitness. Get them moving and understanding the importance of physical health. The goal is to overcome the obesity stigma. Move with Coach T Fitness is a place where families can come and get fit together. Here at M.O.V.E. with Coach T fitness we welcome all fitness levels, from the beginner to the fitness enthusiast. Let’s get fit together!

To read the full story, click here.

Leadership Florence Hosts Meet And Greet Session

/in , , /by

The Greater Florence Chamber hosted an informative Leadership Florence Meet and Greet session on September 5th for the 34 member leadership class of 2024. The participants met for the first time at the Chamber offices and began developing connections and relationships that will strengthen throughout the 9-month program.

The first official Leadership Florence session will be an overnight retreat in Myrtle Beach September 11th-12th.

To see photos from the event, click here.