9 Techniques Employers Use To Retain Top Talent

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From the Great Resignation to layoffs in the tech industry, it’s no secret the job market has been volatile in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, total annual employee turnover rates are expected to be 20% higher than pre-pandemic levels in the coming years, according to a 2022 report from market research firm Gartner.

Here is list of strategies for retaining top talent from leading talent firms like Robert Half, trusted sources including Gallup polling and Harvard Business Review, as well as news reports.

It’s not just the employee side of the job market that is being upended.

To read the full story, click here.

Carter Lumber Announces Expansion in Florence County

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Carter Lumber, a leading building materials supplier, announced plans on Thursday, March 9th to expand its South Carolina footprint with new operations in Florence County. The company’s $26 million investment will create 80 new jobs.

Headquartered in Kent, Ohio, Carter Lumber is a privately held, family-owned company with more than 170 locations across the Midwest, mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions. In addition to lumber, the company sells a broad range of building supplies including decking, doors, kitchens, siding and windows. Carter Lumber is the fourth largest professionally focused lumber and building materials supplier in the nation.

With existing operations in Easley and Rock Hill, this will mark the company’s third South Carolina location and first facility in Florence County. Located at 305 West Myrtle Beach Highway in Johnsonville, Carter Lumber’s plans include renovating a 120,000-square-foot facility in Florence County to manufacture roof and floor trusses along with hanging interior door units. This location will also serve as a millwork warehouse for stock mouldings, and the products from the Florence County facility will be delivered to residential, commercial and multi-family job sites.

Operations are expected to be online by the third quarter of 2023. Individuals interested in joining the Carter Lumber team should visit the company’s careers page. https://www.carterlumber.com/careers

Lighthouse Ministries To Host BBQ Fundraise

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Join Lighthouse Ministries the week of Monday, March 20 – Friday, March 24 for their BBQ Fundraiser.  Plates can be obtained by pick up, drive thru or eat in at Holt Brothers BBQ (2087 W Evans St).  The $10 plate includes BBQ, rice and gravy, slaw, green beans and hushpuppies. All proceeds benefit Lighthouse Ministries.

To view the full flyer, click here.

Junior Leadership Florence County Visits Columbia

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The Junior Leadership Florence County Class enjoyed a fantastic day on Tuesday, March 7th in Columbia for the annual State Government Session and South Carolina 4-H Youth Development Legislative Day at the State House.

The class of Florence County high school sophomores and juniors met with Governor Henry McMaster, Mr. Cody Simpson, Governor’s Special Assistant and founding advisor for Junior Leadership Florence County, the Florence County Legislative Delegation (Senator Mike Reichenbach, Representative Phillip Lowe, Representative Jay Jordan, and Representative Terry Alexander).

The Jr. Leadership Program is a partnership with the Florence Chamber of Commerce, Francis Marion University and Florence County 4-H.

A special thanks to the South Carolina 4-H Pinckney Leadership Program for inviting us to a beautiful luncheon and special thanks JLFC Advisory Board Members, Mrs. Celia Urquhart, Pee Dee Regional Director for U.S. Senator Lindsay Graham, Superintendent, Dr. Neal Vincent, Florence County School District Two and Mr. Reace Shird, 4-H Volunteer/Florence School District Two for their help chaperoning the trip.

If you know of any rising Florence County high school sophomore or junior interested in participating in next year’s program, please encourage them to apply at https://www.jrleadershipflorencecounty.com or you can contact your high school guidance counselor. You may also call the Florence Chamber of Commerce at 843-665-0515 to get more information. The deadline has been extended to March 31st.

Masterworks Choir Sets March 5 Winter Concert

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Masterworks Choir on March 5 will present its winter concert titled “Rejoice and Sing.”

The performance will highlight works for choir accompanied by organ and piano and feature accompanist Beverly Hazelwood who this year celebrates her 28th season with the choir.

The concert will take place at 4 p.m. in Central United Methodist Church on South Irby Street in Florence. Admission is free.

For more information, click here.

Florence County Museum Presents Francis Marion Exhibit

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The Florence County Museum will present two signature exhibitions about Gen. Francis Marion in conjunction with South Carolina’s recognition of the American Revolutionary War Sestercentennial.

Part of the exhibition focuses on important 19th century American artworks depicting Marion and his militia during the Revolutionary War, and how these artworks contributed to the legend that surrounded Marion in the early decades of American Independence.

“It is the first exhibition of its kind,” said museum curator Stephen W. Motte.

Artworks will include the famous painting Marion Inviting a British Officer to Share His Meal, by South Carolina artist John Blake White, on loan to the exhibition from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Also on loan to the exhibit is Marion Crossing the Pedee, by American painter William T. Ranney. This is the largest of Francis Marion history paintings created during the 19th century, and is on loan from the Amon Carter Museum of American Art in Fort Worth, Texas.

To ready the full story, click here.

Above The Rest Residential Care Facility Celebrates Chamber Membership With A Ribbon Cutting

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Above The Rest Residential Care Facility celebrated its grand opening on Wednesday, February 8th. ATR was established in 2021 and currently employs 20 staff.

There are many residential care homes. What sets ATR apart from the others is their emphasis on a trained staff, quality care, personalized attention to each resident, without altering their individuality. At ATR, they put the “care” back in Residential Care. As a residential care home, ATR provides assistance with day-to-day tasks while allowing the individuals to maintain their independence. Their goal is to assist each resident in maintaining their physical, emotional, social and spiritual quality of life.

ATR offers all the comforts of home, in addition to providing the residents with many social activities. Taking a personal interest in each resident, their activities are planned to meet each resident’s physical needs and abilities, but also their social and emotional needs as well. All activities, whether inside or outside of the facility, are planned to maintain social ties to family, friends, and/or the greater community.

To read the full story, click here.

FMU Kelley Center & Chamber Partnered To Host Small Business Workshop

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The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce and Francis Marion University’s Kelley Center for Economic Development partnered last week to present a small business program for individuals looking to protect and grow their business. The program covered advice on intellectual property law, understanding digital marketing and how to avoid online banking fraud.

Speakers included Douglas L. Lineberry from Burr & Forman, LLP, Josh Richardson from Influence Digital Agency and Jammie McDonald with First Citizens Bank. The luncheon part of the program was presented by First Citizens Bank.

MINGLE Of The Pee Dee Hosts Culture Con & Comic Expo

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Please join sponsors MINGLE of the Pee Dee and the Florence County Library as they celebrate Black History Month with the first ever Culture Con and Comic Expo on Saturday, February 25th from 9:30 am- 12:30 pm. The event will take place at the Florence Public Library (509 S Dargan Street, Florence SC). The event is free to the public. I have attached a flyer for the event.

The event will highlight comic creator and publisher Wilson Lee. Lee is a writer/creator and the founder of Crump-N-Sons LLC which publishes as CnS Comics (cnscomics.com).

Florence’s own Anime Attic will also be on hand, along with other local vendors. CnS comics will talk a little about how they got into the comic creation and publishing business. Culture Con is meant to foster an inclusive environment for all comic and cosplay enthusiasts.

Cosplay is encouraged for photos and networking, and attendees can come out dressed as their favorite comic, anime or pop culture characters.

For more information, click here.

Piedmont Forklift Handling Cuts Ribbon, Joins Greater Florence Chamber

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Piedmont Forklift Handling Inc. is a second-generation, family-owned and -operated business that specializes in the servicing, selling and buying of forklifts.

In addition to lift trucks, of which it is an exclusive dealer of Hangcha, Unicarrier and Komatsu, the company has industrial sweeper/scrubber offerings and scissor lifts available, as well as telehandlers.

“We have close relationships with racking manufacturers and have the ability to accommodate your racking needs from conception to installation,” the company said in a media advisory through the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce. “Recently, our owner, Dane Campbell, invested substantially within the Florence market to expand our servicing availability to more partners. As our footprint grows, we anticipate larger investments to continue to provide the level of service that makes Piedmont Forklift Handling stand out. We look forward to having the opportunity of getting to know you as a partner, not a customer.”

To read the full story, click here.