Junior Leadership Florence County Participates In Their Agribusiness Session

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On Friday, September 9th, the Jr. Leadership Florence County Class participated in their Agribusiness Session! Thank you to BRH FARMS LLC, the Pee Dee State Farmers Market, Ms. Maddy Cutts with Clemson University’s College of Agriculture, Forestry & Life Sciences, and the Clemson University Pee Dee Research Education Center for hosting our students! During this day, students learned about the importance of agribusiness to South Carolina. It is the state’s #1 industry, and there are many opportunities within the world of agribusiness. Charlotte Watson, Watson Homeschool Student, reported, “Agriculture being the backbone of our day-to-day lives, those in agricultural fields provide us with food, clothes, materials, and much more.” All of us are grateful for the partnership between Clemson Extension, Francis Marion University and the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce, which manages this nine-month, high school development program each year.

For more information on the JLFC program, contact the Chamber at 843-665-0515

To see photos from the day, click here.

Briggs Elementary’s Newton is Principal of the Year

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Dr. Richard O’Malley, Superintendent of Florence 1 Schools announced today that Tara Newton, Principal of Briggs Elementary School, has been named the Florence 1 Schools 2022-2023 Principal of the Year.

Nominated for this recognition by a group of her peers, including fellow principals and school administrators in Florence 1 Schools, Principal Newton has served at Briggs since 2014. In recent years, Briggs Elementary has garnered local, state, and national recognition.

Under Newton’s leadership, Briggs Elementary is the only school in Florence 1 participating in the whole-school improvement process known as Leader in Me.

To read the full story, click here.

Purvis Motors Celebrates Membership at the Florence Chamber With A Ribbon Cutting

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Purvis Motors LLC held a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, Sept. 14 celebrating joining the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce. Owner Garry Purvis cut the ribbon. He was joined by Chamber staff and ambassadors.

Purvis Motors LLC, 1404 N. Cashua Dr. in Florence, offers pre-owned cars for sale.

Purvis said when a potential customer comes on his lot his aim and that of his sales staff is to not only find them the car of their dreams but help the customer find the best financing possible.

Purvis started out working for Pee Dee Auto Sales before branching out on his own. He has been in the car business since 2009. He has been an owner since 2015.

A native of Bennettsville, Purvis moved to Florence in 2008. He and his wife, Chiquita, have been married almost 10 years. Between them, they have five boys and two grandsons.

To read the full story, click here.

Chamber & SCORE Partnership

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The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce works in partnership with Grand Strand SCORE organization to support the Pee Dee Branch for the SCORE mentorship program. The partnership is meant to develop additional resources for small businesses in our Pee Dee communities through mentoring and education programs.

SCORE is a nonprofit resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration dedicated to the formation and growth of small businesses in the United States. It provides free business advice and mentoring, offering low or no-cost business training and sharing free business templates and resources. Whether you’re just starting out, in business, or ready to sell, you can get FREE, confidential business advice from expert advisors committed to helping you succeed. Mentors are available to participate in remote mentoring sessions via phone, email, & video. If you have any questions, please call the Florence Chamber at 843-665-0515. Or click this link to go directly to the SCORE Pee Dee Branch page Grandstrand.score.org/peedee.

FedEx Making $64M Investment At Former Hard Rock Park Site in Horry County

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FedEx is planning to make a nearly $64 million investment on property once part of Horry County’s Hard Rock Park. In return, the company will get a deduction in its property tax rate, paying on 6% of its assessed value rather than 10.5% for the next 20 years, according to an agreement made public Oct. 4 by county officials. Code-named “Project Crestfield,” it’s the shipping and distribution giant’s latest expansion into South Carolina. FedEx broke ground on a $45 million logistics facility in the Upstate city of Anderson over the summer.

To read the full story, click here.

ABB Offers Plant Tour to the Chamber

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The Florence Chamber took an informative tour of the ABB plant in Florence on Manufacturers Day (October 7th). The Chamber group included community business leaders, economic development representatives and small business owners.

ABB is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future.

14th Annual Florence Veterans Day Ceremony Announced

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The Florence Veterans Committee will host the 14th Annual Florence Veterans Day Ceremony at Veterans Park located on 601 Woody Jones Blvd.

The event is on Veterans Day, November 11, 2022, beginning at 11:00 AM. This year’s distinguished speaker is a native of Georgetown, SC, graduate of the University of SC, and a retired Marine, Lt Gen Stacy Clardy. Gen Clardy is a highly decorated veteran with 37 years as a Marine. During this year’s ceremony, 29 names of Veterans with Pee Dee connections will be added to the Wall of Honor. Also, a spectacular monument to the men and women of World War II will become the park’s newest monument, joining internationally acclaimed, award winning monuments.

The event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited, so portable chairs are encouraged for those who may not want to stand.

Chamber Holds Annual Fall Golf Classic on Thursday, October 6th

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The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce held its’ 2022 Fall Golf Classic on Thursday at Traces Golf Club with 108 area golfers participating. The day started with a great buffet lunch followed by a shotgun start at 12:00 noon for the captain’s choice event. The fall golf outing was presented by First Bank.

Twelve area businesses presented hospitality holes that provided a variety of beverage, hot food, snacks, prizes and gifts along the course.

The Chambers Fall Golf Classic’s first place team was HopeHealth including players Clay Oliver, Carl Humphries, Grant Sellers & Kent McDaniel. Placing second in the event was Truist Bank with players Robbie Timms, Daniel Timmons, Mathew Langston & Tom Finklea.

To view photos from the day, click here.

MFBG To Host Picnic & Story Time

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Grab a blanket, pack a picnic lunch, and join us as we sit under the shade of the willows and have an afternoon of storytelling. Families are invited to the garden to enjoy the sights and sounds of Fall while listening to picture books and stories being read aloud by Education Coordinator, Melanie Glover. This program has three elements:

Bring a book – to donate to the Community Resource Center to help improve community-wide literacy

Share a book – bring a book to trade with other families that attend

Make a book – make an adventure journal or start your very own story through crafting your own book

Come dressed for the outdoors! Program will be rescheduled in the case of inclement weather.

For more info, click here.

The Care House’s Toss ‘N’ Taste Rescheduled for Saturday, November 5th

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Due to heavy rainfall and extreme wind gusts from Hurricane Ian, Toss ‘N’ Taste has been rescheduled for Saturday, November 5th! Dust off your cornhole bags, fire up your crock pot and join us at Toss ‘N’ Taste, the family-friendly Cornhole Tournament & Chili Cook-Off! This annual event features children’s activities (including inflatables and face painting) and chances to win big with a 50/50 raffle, silent auction and enticing prizes! Enjoy spirited competition and delicious chili all while supporting quality services at the CARE House of the Pee Dee for children and families impacted by abuse.

Registration is now open at www.thecarehouse.com/toss-n-taste. Contact CARE House Outreach Coordinator, Alice Curry Gallego at agallego@thecarehouse.com for more details.

For more info, click here.