Florence entrepreneurs, city leaders connect during chamber meet-and-greet

“FLORENCE, S.C. – The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce held a press conference and meet-and-greet Tuesday morning to celebrate the start of National Small Business Week.

Approximately 30 small-business owners and community leaders gathered at the chamber office at 100 W. Evans St. for the press conference initiating National Small Business Week in Florence. During the event, small-business owners were recognized for the role they play in a thriving, successful community. After the conference, chamber members, business owners and city officials had the opportunity to exchange business cards and connect with one another during a short meet-and-greet session.

According to the Small Business Administration, there are about 400,000 small businesses in South Carolina, which make up about 48 percent of the state’s workforce. Chamber President Mike Miller acknowledged the importance of small businesses at both at state and local level.

Miller said the number of small businesses opening in Florence has increased by three percent in the last year and that number is continuing to climb. As he addressed the crowd at the press conference Tuesday morning, Miller acknowledged the small-business owners in attendance and expressed his gratitude for all they do for the Florence area.

“We’d like to salute our small-business owners, their entrepreneurship, their hard work and dedication,” Miller said. “They are an integral part of our fabric, particularly here in Florence.”

City Councilman Glenn Willis also had a turn at the podium on Tuesday, saying small businesses improve not only the local economy but also the quality of life for Florence and other surrounding residents.

“We are working diligently to improve every avenue we can to promote small businesses throughout the city,” Willis said. “We hope to be able to bring a small business type of environments back into our neighborhoods.”

Since 1963, the president of the United States has issued a proclamation every year to announce National Small Business Week, which recognizes the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small-business owners. During the chamber’s press conference, Florence Mayor Pro Tem Buddy Brand issued a proclamation of his own, recognizing Small Business Week in the Florence area.

Brand recited the proclamation, which identified small businesses as “the backbone of our economy and the cornerstone of our nation’s promise.”

“I’ll be honest with you. Seven years ago I had no idea we would see what we’ve seen,” Brand said. “It’s only just started. We’re moving forward.”

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