City Accepting Vendor Applications for 2016 Pecan Festival

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The City of Florence is currently accepting vendor applications for the upcoming Pecan Festival that will take place on November 5th.

Vendor spaces are extremely limited and the crowds for this annual, downtown event tend to be huge, so apply early to snag your spot!

The SC Pecan Festival is hosted by the Florence Downtown Development Corporation and The City of Florence.

The festival is on THE  FIRST SATURDAY OF NOVEMBER EACH YEAR in Downtown Florence.

City officials say crowds for the festival are estimated at more than 50,000 and this year’s event will feature live entertainment with more than 250 food & craft vendors, special art demonstrations, a free Kids’ Zone, amusement rides, an antique tractor show, car show & competition, a cook-off competition, chalk art competition, corn hole competition, 10K, 5k, and Half Marathon Races, a Half Metric Century Bike Ride and much, much, more!

Click below to find out more about the event and how you can apply to become a vendor:

2016 Pecan Festival

YP of Florence Kick-Off Tailgate this Thursday at Muscovy’s

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Join the Young Professionals of Florence now and get access to the Kick-Off Tailgate event and all other events of the 2016-2017 season, for only $35! You can become a YP member by clicking this link:

Become a member of YP:
Young Professionals of Florence Registration

You can find out more about the YPF Tailgate Kick-Off coming up on Thursday, by clicking the link below and visiting the FB event page. We hope to see you there!!

More information on the event:
Join YPF on Thursday, September 1 to kick off the 2016 college football season during the USC v. Vanderbilt game!

YPF Members get in FREE!!!
Tickets for Non-Members are $30 for 1 or $50 for 2

Prettier than Matt will be playing before the game and during half-time.

Event will take place in the open lot adjacent to Muscovy’s – bring your own tent and tailgate supplies to represent your favorite team (does not have to be USC or Vanderbilt!!!).

Contest for FAVORITE FAN! Winner will receive 2 tickets to the Darlington Bojangles Southern 500 NASCAR race (winner to be announced after the game).

Facebook Event Page

Honda of SC Announces $45 Million Expansion

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(image courtesy: YouTube)

From the Morning News:

TIMMONSVILLE, S.C. — Honda of South Carolina announced Thursday that it is making a $45 million investment with a 115,000-square-foot-expansion that will bring 250 new jobs.

Growing to meet demand for Honda’s side-by-side vehicles produced exclusively in its South Carolina plant required a focus on creating a more flexible and efficient production facility, said Gary Mabrey, president of Honda of South Carolina Mfg. Inc.

“The step-by-step growth of o ur operations in South Carolina is really a testament to our outstanding associates and the great products they create for our customers every day,” he said. Company officials said that prior to Thursday’s announcement, Honda had invested $93 million and added 150 new jobs in South Carolina over the past five years related to side-by-side production alone. Honda of South Carolina is the exclusive global producer of Honda Pioneer side-by-sides, including the 500, 700 and 1000 series models. The expansion focuses on the paint, weld, final assembly and material service areas as the company looked to improve manufacturing efficiency, parts flow and logistics.

“Our associates are very proud of the ATV and SxS products we make at Honda of South Carolina. This investment and plant expansion reaffirms our commitment to our customers, the state of South Carolina, and our local communities,” Mabrey said in the announcement.

State Senate President Pro Tempore Hugh K. Leatherman Sr. hailed it as “outstanding news” for Florence County and South Carolina.

“ We applaud Honda of South Carolina for their continued product line and workforce growth — both boldly underline that Florence County is at the forefront of economic growth,” Leatherman said. Congratulations Honda of South Carolina.”

Florence County Council Chairman Roger Poston said the investment “is a testament to Florence County’s economic vitality and strong workforce.”

“Honda of South Carolina’s expansion announcement is great news. Quality, associates, and customer satisfaction is what Honda is all about,” said Frank J. “Buddy” Brand, Florence County Economic Development Partnership chairman. “We congratulate everyone involved and look forward to Honda’s continued success in Florence County.”

Gov. Nikki Haley called Honda a “fantastic partner for nearly two decades,” and characterized news of the expansion as “another huge win for team South Carolina.”

World-class manufacturing firms continue to thrive in South Carolina, said Bobby Hitt, S.C. secretary of commerce, and bring new jobs to all corners of the state. He offered congratulations and said he looks forward to the company’s continued success in Florence County.”

Read the full article by clicking on the link below:

SCnow.com web article- Honda of SC Expansion

12th Annual Car Hauler Parade & Festival Set for Next Week

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The 12th annual Darlington Car Hauler Parade and Festival will take place next week and will feature all kinds of fun at the Florence Civic Center and the Darlington Raceway! The Civic Center portion kicks off at 4 pm on Thursday, Sept. 1 and will have a Kids’ Zone, live music and even a game truck!

The Car Hauler Parade will leave the Civic Center at 7 pm, head through Darlington’s Square where a RaceFest event will be taking place and will eventually arrive at the track leading up to the Bojangle’s Southern 500.

You can get all of the details on the event by clicking the link below:
Darlington Car Hauler Parade Website

YP & Chamber Lunch and Learn: Fair Labor Standards Act Second Session

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Thanks again to everyone who attended our second Young Professionals and Florence Chamber Lunch & Learn on the new Fair Labor Standards Act.
We’d also like to offer a big thank you to Reynolds Williams and Mark Buyck who presented details on how the new overtime rule will impact area business owners.
You can view the full album from the event by clicking here:
Facebook Album: YP Lunch & Learn: Fair Labor Standards Act Second Session
You can find more information on the FLSA by clicking the link below:
 

Dale Carnegie Business Training to Take Place in Florence

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dalecarnegielogo

A Dale Carnegie Course Free Session will be held on September 20th from 5pm to 7:30pm at SiMT, 1951 Pisgah Rd. Florence, SC 29501.

Session 1 will start the following Tuesday and continue for 8 weeks.

The Dale Carnegie Course is an organizational communication training programs that works to boost employee engagement levels.
According to the course organizer’s website, the “effective communication training course will help you master the human relation skills demanded in today’s tough business environment. You’ll learn to improve human relations skills, increase communication effectiveness, strengthen interpersonal relationships, manage stress and handle fast-changing workplace conditions. You’ll develop more effective communication skills and be better equipped to perform as a persuasive communicator, problem-solver and focused leader. What’s more, you develop a take-charge attitude to initiate with confidence and enthusiasm.”
For more information on the Dale Carnegie Course offerings, visit:

Two Days Left to Register for Food Access Entrepreneur Training

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From our friends at Downtown Florence: Only TWO DAYS LEFT until the application deadline for the Food Access Entrepreneurial Training hosted by the South Carolina Community Loan Fund and the City of Florence!

Do you have a great idea to connect people to healthy food? Get it on paper and fill out an application today! There’s no cost to apply or participate, but space is limited and competitive. Download and fill out an application from our website:

From our friends at Downtown Florence: Only TWO DAYS LEFT until the application deadline for the Food Access Entrepreneurial Training hosted by the South Carolina Community Loan Fund and the City of Florence!

Do you have a great idea to connect people to healthy food? Get it on paper and fill out an application today! There’s no cost to apply or participate, but space is limited and competitive. Download and fill out an application from our website:

Downtown Florence: Food Access Entrepreneur Training

Return it to: anna@sccommunityloanfund.org.

Darlington County Economic Development Hosts Industry Seminar

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(Images courtesy: Joe Perry/SCnow.com)

From the Morning News:

“The Darlington County Economic Development Partnership hosted an industry seminar Tuesday morning at the SiMT on the campus of Florence-Darlington Technical College as industry experts explained their roles in fostering the growth of existing businesses and industry in South Carolina.”

See more images from the event and read more about what took place by clicking on the link below:
SCnow.com web article- Economic Development Program

 

Register Now for the First Reliance Bank Small Business Series

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Join First Reliance Bank, the Florence Chamber, Waring & Associates CPA’s and HillSouth for the first session in the Small Business Series on Tuesday, September 20th at the First Reliance Bank Learning Center!
 
The series is designed to answer the most common concerns and questions of small business owners and new business start-ups. Enjoy a continental breakfast while learning important information to help your business succeed!
 
The agenda includes:
Waring & Associates CPA’s
Presenter: Nancy Waring
Financial Planning, Importance of Accurate Payroll, Data and Records
 
HillSouth – IT Solutions
Presenter: Robby Hill
Data Management, Document Solutions, iCloud Services, Information Security
 
First Reliance Bank
Presenters: Reuben Hewitt and
Dwayne Brockington
Applying for funds to start your business or expand – what does your bank look for and need?
 
Wrap-Up
Les Echols, Florence Chamber
 
To RSVP please email or call Pam Sawyer at First Reliance Bank: psawyer@firstreliance.com or phone: 843-674-3209 by September 18th.

2018 Horseshoe Tournament to Bring $3.5 Million Impact to Florence Area

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(image courtesy: SCnow.com)

Florence beat out El Paso, Texas, and Shreveport, Louisiana, to secure the 2018 National Horseshoe Pitching World Tournament. According to Florence Civic Center officials, the competition will be the largest single event ever hosted in Florence!

It’s expected to draw thousands of tourists, generate 8,000 or more room nights at local hotels and have an estimated economic impact of $3.5 million, according to the Morning News.

Read all about how the plan to attract the competition came together, by clicking on the story below:

SCnow.com web article- Horseshoe Tournament