Chamber hosts Administrative Professional Day Luncheon on Wednesday, April 21st

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More than 235 people attended the Chamber’s Administrative Professionals Day Luncheon at Florence Center on Wednesday, April 21st. The event included an expo where guests learned about participating businesses’ services, were treated to token gifts and even had their photos taken. Local businesses offered 75 different prize drawings throughout the luncheon program. Guest speaker Gina Trimarco said she wanted to give a motivational and uplifting speech, because that is what everyone needs. Her topic was “Oh Yes She Did” but is really “Oh Yes She Can.”

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RedWolves’ New Home Will Be Carolina Bank Field

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The Florence RedWolves and Carolina Bank jointly announced a 10-year partnership Tuesday, April 13th for the naming rights of the new stadium at the Florence Sports Complex, which will be known as Carolina Bank Field.  Additionally, Carolina Bank will serve as the presenting partner of the RedWolves’ upcoming season, the Coastal Plain League team’s final one, at Francis Marion University’s Sparrow Stadium.  The stadium will be the centerpiece of a new $16 million city of Florence sports complex that is under construction. A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new complex on March 22.

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Name for Darlington’s May 9th Cup Race is Goodyear 400

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Darlington Raceway and Goodyear announce a partnership on the entitlement of the spring NASCAR Cup Series race as part of the Official Throwback Weekend of NASCAR on May 9. The official name of the race will be the Goodyear 400. “Goodyear is one of the most iconic brands in the history of motorsports, so we are proud to welcome them back to Darlington Raceway for the Goodyear 400,” said Darlington President Kerry Tharp. “Goodyear has been a part of many monumental moments in Darlington Raceway’s storied history. We look forward to writing a new chapter with Goodyear as part of the Official Throwback Weekend of NASCAR.” Goodyear has a rich history at Darlington Raceway as it conducted its first official NASCAR tire tests at the track in 1954 and earned its first NASCAR victory in the 1959 Southern 500® with driver Jim Reed.

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Two Companies Looking to Invest and Bring 329 Jobs to Florence County

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Two companies are looking to invest a combined $46 million in Florence County.  The Florence County Council voted unanimously Thursday morning to approve on second readings ordinances authorizing a fee-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement with “Project Ice,” and held the first reading of an ordinance authorizing a fee-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement with “Project Jam.”  The council also unanimously approved an ordinance adding the Project Ice property into a joint county industrial park between Florence and Marion counties and resolutions providing for fee agreements with both companies.

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Leon Holden Named Chamber Ambassador of the Year

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For the second year in a row, Leon Holden has earned the title of Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce Ambassador of the Year. He was presented a plaque, $100 gift card and a crown on Wednesday, April 14th at a luncheon at Hyatt Place in downtown Florence.  “The ambassador is chosen by accumulation of points for showing up to ribbon cuttings, volunteering to help for chamber events, recruiting new members to the chamber, attending Business After Hours events and the like,” said Jay Lavrinc, Director of Membership Relations for the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce. “Each item is worth various points that are tallied monthly and totaled yearly.”  Holden accumulated 1,240 points for the calendar year of 2020.

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K & J Cleaning and Janitorial Services Celebrates Chamber Membership with Ribbon Cutting

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A ribbon cutting was held on Monday, April 12th at the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce celebrating the new membership of K & J Cleaning and Janitorial Services in the Chamber. Chamber Ambassadors joined Kelvia Baccus, the K & J owner, as she cut the ribbon. She was also joined by her husband, Jonathan, and other family members.  K & J Cleaning and Janitorial Services has been in business for more than 10 years and is at 1708 Furman Drive in Florence.  “We service the entire Pee Dee area,” Baccus said. “We specialize in cleaning commercial and residential properties and offer full-service cleaning.”

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LilJazZi`s Cafe Celebrates Chamber Membership with Ribbon Cutting

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LilJazZi`s Cafe held a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, April 7th celebrating its membership in the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce. The Dargan Street café opened in January. Owner Andrena Mullins cut the ribbon surrounded by family and Chamber Ambassadors.  The café is at 163 N. Dargan St. and serves breakfast and lunch.  Mullins also operates a café by the same name at the Florence Regional Airport that is temporarily closed during COVID. She said that location will open back up in May.

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Restaurant Hero Franchise in Darlington Joins Florence Chamber

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Restaurant Heroes Darlington joined the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce and celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, April 5th at the Chamber.  Cutting the ribbon was Chief Executive Officer Damon Taylor of the Restaurant Heroes franchise in Darlington. Chamber ambassadors joined in the celebration, along family members.  Restaurant Heroes is a franchise offering consultations services to restaurants.  Taylor said his goal is help restaurants succeed. Some of the services he helps with are employee management, online ordering, document storage, merchant processing, shift scheduling and E-gift cards.  As a restaurant advisor, Taylor, a certified advisor serving the Darlington and Florence area, has been through the rigorous Restaurant Heroes training program.

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Eliza’s Vegan Cafe Food Truck Rolls into Town for Ribbon Cutting

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Eliza’s Vegan Café Food Truck held a ribbon cutting on Tuesday, April 6th at Eats on the Creek, 2402 W. Palmetto St. in Florence, to celebrate its grand opening and membership in the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce. Owner Markeyshi K’Patrick cut the ribbon and was joined by Chamber Ambassadors for the event. People were ready and waiting to try food from the bright yellow food truck that rolled into Eats on the Creek. Originally from Queens, New York, K’Patrick said there are numerous reasons a person becomes a vegan – a person who does not consume any animal or animal byproducts. K’Patrick said she became totally vegan on Jan. 1 2001. “It was my New Year’s resolution,” she said.

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Pee Dee State Farmers Market Joins Chamber

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The Pee Dee State Farmers Market celebrated a return to the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce with a ribbon cutting on Thursday, April 1st. S.C. Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh E. Weathers joined Bob Sager, Pee Dee state Farmers Market manager, in cutting the ribbon. Also attending the event were Chamber Ambassadors.  Weathers said the Pee Dee market is one of his department’s favorites as a drive-through market.  “It is special to us,” he said.  Weathers said he is pleased with the upgrades that have taken place. He said he is appreciative of the partnership between the market and the community.  The Pee Dee State Farmers Market moved to 2513 W. Lucas St. in 1976. Originally it was downtown, Sager said.

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