Archive for category: News

In January, the SC Chamber and the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce teamed up to launch the Palmetto Business Barometer, a voluntary monthly survey to better understand the conditions that South Carolina employers are facing and inform the public about the state’s economy and workforce. The survey measures conditions and attitudes over time with an emphasis on workforce behaviors. Each month, a survey is released for two weeks for business leaders and owners to complete anonymously. After two weeks, the survey closes, and experts convert the data into graphs and charts. Six months of surveys are now complete, and the seventh survey will open on July 3rd.

With increased survey participation, patterns, and trends are beginning to be formed and identified. For example, in January 2023, 45 percent of businesses said that none of their workforce was engaging in remote work remotely; however, in May 2023, 66 percent of businesses said that none of their workforce is engaging in remote work. Over time, more businesses also self-disclosed they anticipate it will be more difficult to find qualified workers in six months – in January 35 percent said it would be, and in May 42 percent it would be. View the data from the past six months by clinking here.

McLeod Regional Medical Center, in partnership with The Blood Connection, is hosting a blood drive on Thursday, July 6 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Blood Connection will have a bloodmobile parked on the East Palmetto Street side of the McLeod Medical Plaza, 800 East Cheves Street, Florence, S.C.

Walk-ins welcome. Appointments are seen first.

To schedule an appointment click here.

Three new industrial sites in Florence County are nearing completion and already attracting potential buyers.

Each area cost between $8 million to $12 million, with $15 million to $20 million in utilities used at each location. Potential customers are looking into the parks now, Florence County Economic Development Partnership Chief Executive Officer Gregg Robinson said.

A site consultant with Deloitte Consulting toured the sites last week, Robinson said. Deloitte is considered the fourth most prestigious consulting firm this year.

The three projects came into being after the Florence County Council passed a $22 million bond referendum in 2020 to support industrial expansion within the county “because we hadn’t had a lot of success,” Robinson said.

To read the full story, click here.

South Carolina Ports’ cargo business segments had a strong May, with inland ports, vehicles and cruise passengers trending up.

SC Ports handled 20,026 vehicles for global automakers at Columbus Street Terminal in May, up 14% year-over-year.

SC Ports’ two rail-served inland ports, which swiftly move cargo via rail between the Port of Charleston and inland markets, continued to see strong volumes.

Inland Port Dillon had another record-breaking month, handling 4,415 rail moves in May, which is an impressive 138% jump from last year. Inland Port Greer also had a strong month handling 14,931 rail moves, up 4% year-over-year.

To read the full story, click here.

Join The CARE House at the ballpark on Thursday, July 13th to see the Florence Flamingos take on the Wilmington Sharks while supporting quality services for victims of child abuse and neglect! Tickets are $16 and include unlimited food & drinks, a Flamingos hat and an exciting ballpark experience! $5 from every ticket purchased through the CARE House event page will be donated to the CARE House of the Pee Dee. Use password: Care2023 at purchase.

Visit www.thecarehouse.com/take-me-out-to-the-ball-game for more information or to purchase tickets. Contact Alice Curry Gallego at 843-629-0736 or via email at agallego@thecarehouse.com with any questions!