Chamber Holds Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Kona Ice

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The Florence Chamber was happy to help officially welcome Kona Ice with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday morning! Serving tropical shaved ice from the most unique entertainment vehicle you’ll ever see, Kona Ice and it’s owner Danny Davis, recently joined the Chamber family.

Who knew an ice cream truck could be so fun? The one-of-a-kind shaved ice truck will brings the party to you and gives kids and adults alike, the opportunity to create their very own shaved ice masterpieces.

Kona Ice provides services for corporate events, school functions, charity events, athletic events, festivals, VBS, weddings or daycares! The company also provides a birthday party package starting as low as $125.

For more information, visit:
http://kona-ice.com/, email: florence@kona-ice.com or call: (843) 260-1462.

To view the entire album from the ribbon cutting ceremony visit:

Facebook Album: Kona Ice Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

SC Chamber End of Year Summary: 2016 Legislative Session

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Which business-related issues survived the 2016 Legislative Session and which ones didn’t quite make the cut?

From SC Chamber of Commerce President Ted Pitts:

“Each year, the Chamber releases a Competitiveness Agenda indicating the things the business community believes are critical to improving our state’s business climate. Two of our most pressing issues this year were DOT reform and funding to improve our infrastructure and passage of H.4145 and a budget line item for Certified Workready Communities to bolster our state’s workforce. As session comes to an end, we are pleased to see that the General Assembly recognized the concerns of the business community by addressing both our roads and our workforce needs.”

Click on the link below to see the SC Chamber’s End of Year Summary and find out where the important issues stand that directly impact business owners like you.

SC Chamber End of Year Summary

Young Professionals of Florence Form Partnership with Chamber

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(images courtesy: Joe Perry/ Morning News)

Thanks to everyone who joined us last evening for the big announcement from the Young Professionals of Florence group!

YP and the Chamber have now formed a partnership and will be working together on future projects geared toward the Pee Dee’s future leaders.

“Two solid organizations working together almost always deliver better performance. In this case, the programs the Young Professional of Florence provide will be enhanced with support and help from the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce,” Chamber President Mike Miller said. “The Chamber brings marketing, promotional and expanded administrative support and YP offers young and fresh ideas to support Chamber programs. We like the partnership,” Miller continued.

The first joint program between YP and the Chamber will take place on July 20th at the Florence County Library. It will feature a Lunch & Learn program with Willcox, Buyck and Williams, P.A. explaining the new Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA,) which will take effect on December 1, 2016. It’s critical that small and medium size businesses understand the new ruling.

Stay tuned for more information on this major step forward for both groups and have a look at some of the highlights from last night’s announcement, courtesy of the Morning News:

SCnow.com Media Gallery- YP and Chamber Form Partnership

Pee Dee Summer Camps Offer Options for Area Youth

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For those of you parents out there looking for a way to keep the kids occupied during the summer months, here’s a list of some summer camps in the Pee Dee, courtesy of the Morning News!

Included in the list you’ll find everything from camps that focus on science, to those that cater to little swimmers at the “Y” to summer camps at Francis Marion University.

Just click on the link below for more details, websites and further information:

SCnow.com web article- Pee Dee Summer Camps

Young Professionals Event at Florence Chamber Thursday Evening

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Don’t forget to join us this evening for a very special announcement from the Young Professionals of Florence!

The group will be holding its June Social this evening from 5:30-7 pm at the Chamber offices at 100 W. Evans St.

You can get more details by following the link below. We’d love to see you there!

Young Professionals of Florence/ Florence Chamber Event FB Page

Take Part in the Brand Identity Process for the City of Florence!

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Here’s a way that you can take part in an exciting time in the history of Florence! The City of Florence is developing a new brand identity for your community and your input is extremely important.

Click on the link below to go to an online survey that will only take a few minutes. You’ll be asked to review several statements about Florence, rate those statements, provide input and then select one of the statements as your favorite.

Thank You for Participating!

City of Florence Branding Survey

2015-2016 Leadership Florence Class Graduates

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Congratulations to the graduates of the 2016 Leadership Florence class!

The fine group of leaders raised more than $26,000 for local charities including Help4Kids and the CARE House of the Pee Dee.

You can see even more pictures from Tuesday evening’s graduation ceremony by following the link below:

SCnow.com Media Gallery- 2016 Leadership Florence Graduation

(images courtesy: SCnow.com/Morning News)

7 Things to Consider Before Buying a Small Business

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(image courtesy: Getty images, CNBC.com)

Purchases of small businesses are among their highest levels since 2007.

Experts say it’s still a buyer’s market, but it’s starting to shift and even out.

Median revenue of sold businesses on BizBuySell (an industry website that tracks small business purchases) in 2015 grew to $449,462, up from $417,562 in 2014, while the median sales price also increased 7.6 percent to $199,000.

Whether becoming a first-time business owner or acquiring a business to expand your current company, ask the following questions before signing on the dotted line:

CNBC web article: 7 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Business

 

Leadership Florence Class to Graduate Tuesday; Will Donate $26,000 to Charities

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Congratulations to the current Leadership Florence class of students who will graduate on Tuesday evening! Collectively, the group raised more than $26,000 for local charities.

During Tuesday night’s graduation, the group’s leaders will present checks to The Care House of the Pee Dee and Help 4 Kids, and money will also go toward funding scholarships for future Leadership Florence and Junior Leadership programs.

2015/2016 Leadership Florence Class:

>> Kendra Cobbs, City of Florence, community services manager

>> Bradley Cooke, Freemans’ Bakery, baker

>> Joe Craig, Morning News, publisher

>> Emery DeWitt, SC ATE Center, FDTC, project manager

>> Nicole Dixon, Pee Dee Regional Council of Government, financial management and procurement specialist

>> Brian Fast, First Citizens Bank, market executive

>> Bill Gleason, Moore Beauston & Woodham. LLP, senior manager

>> Brock Graham, Pepsi Cola of Florence, key account manager

>> Thomas Hunter, McLeod Physician Associates, associate VP quality and safety

>> Andrea Luppe, GE Healthcare, manufacturing engineering leader

>> Chad Hensley, Honda of SC, senior manager corporate services

>> Celeste Johnson, HopeHealth, director of human resources

>> Jill Kovalich, WebsterRogers LLP, director of practice development

>> Danielle Nance

>> Ricky Reynolds

>> Annette Ross, Raldex Hospitality Group, corporate sales

>> Katherine Ryan, Willcox, Buyck, & Williams PA, associate

>> Bob Scott, Morning News, circulation director

>> Melissa Scott, Assurant Specialty Property, director

>> Cody Simpson, Francis Marion University, admissions counselor

>> Lauren Stanton, Florence County Economic Development, project manager

>> Frances Swink, McCall Farms, Inc., procurement

>> Meg Temple, The CareHouse of the Pee Dee, executive director

>> Lawson Walker, CSP Insurance Services, account executive

>> Mark Warrin, Carolinas Hospital System, marketing coordinator

>> Amy Weber, Florence County Sheriff’s Office, TAC

>> Joey Wellington, The News Journal, sales director

>> Kelvin Wymbs, Florence County School District 1, director of secondary education

2015/2016 Leadership Florence Sponsors:
>> Mr. and Mrs. John Allen

>> American Systems of the Southeast

>> Assurant

>> Carolinas Hospital System

>> Cormell Street & Patterson

>> Dun-Rite Custom Transmissions

>> Florence-Darlington Technical College

>> Francis Marion University

>> Freeman’s Bakery

>> Haynesworth Sinkler Boyd

>> Honda of SC

>> HopeHealth

>> McCall Farms

>> Mellow Mushroom

>> Morning News

>> PNC Bank

>> Raldex

>> Palmetto Smiles

>> Party In A Tent

>> Pee Dee Electric Cooperative

>> Pepsi of Florence

>> Ruiz Foods

>> Webster Rogers

>> Willcox, Buyck & Williams

>> Zaxby’s

 

Read the full article on the group’s efforts by following the link to the story below from the Morning News:

SCnow.com web article- 2016 Leadership Florence Graduation

Press Release: Florence Chamber Seeking Applicants for Summer Leadership Program

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The Florence Chamber is currently seeking applicants for a unique and innovative leadership program. The Emerging Leaders Summer Institute is a program designed to generate professional training and development, mentorship, community engagement and recruitment opportunities. The purpose is to identify, develop and empower “Emerging Leaders,” specifically minorities, small business owners and innovative professionals poised to move into the next level of community and business leadership.

PROGRAM STRATEGIES:

  • Visit with community leaders and businesses
  • Professional and personal leadership development and civic engagement
  • Extensive networking with a diverse group of your peers
  • Discovering your strengths and learning how to apply them as a leader in your business and/or community

PROGRAM DATES:

Sessions will last from 8 am – 1 pm. Breakfast and Lunch will be provided.  

  • Tuesday, June 14th: Orientation & Reception

            Location: TBA

  • Wednesday, June 15th: Session 1- Retreat

            Chamber offices

  • Wednesday, July 13th: Session 2 – Technology, Innovation and Industry

OTIS, SiMT and Morning News

  • Wednesday, July 20th: Session 3 – Leadership Development

            North Dargan Innovation Center and several local businesses

  • Wednesday, August 3rd: Session 4 – Government/ Civic Engagement

            City Center, Floyd Conference Center at Carolinas Hospital and area Parks & Recreation Sites

PROGRAM COST/SPONSORSHIP:

Cost includes food and program materials. While many candidates are sponsored by their employer, a limited number of partial scholarships are available.

Non-profit rate: $200

Small/Minority Business rate: $250

Corporate rate: $500

For more information, contact: Les Echols, Director of Community & Minority Enterprise, Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce. (843) 665-0515. Applications and further information available online by following the link below:

Emerging Leaders Registration