SC Tourism Revenues Down $5.2 Billion

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South Carolina’s tourism revenues have dropped by $5.2 billion since February 2020, a 43% decrease year-over-year, according to data from Tourism Economics, a global tourism research and consulting company. For the week of Oct. 25-31, state visitor spending dropped 32% to $99 million compared to the same week in 2019. That was a $3 million decrease from the week ending Oct. 24. The state’s recorded hotel occupancy for the week ending Oct. 31 was 45.6%, 1.2 percent points above the national average, S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism said in its weekly update. Anderson County led the state at 72.7%, most likely because of visitors for Clemson University’s home football game.

For the full story, click here.

Florence Receives Highest Main Street America Status

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Florence’s downtown is going Main Street.  The downtown development office announced Thursday, February 25th that it had received accreditation status from Main Street America via Main Street South Carolina.  “Downtown Florence has successfully demonstrated their thoughtful, intentional approach to strengthening their community,” said Jenny Boulware, Main Street South Carolina manager. “As an accredited Main Street America program Downtown Florence is being recognized for generating strong economic returns, preserving community character and celebrating local history. Main Street America Accredited communities are part of a powerful, impactful movement of asset-based, placemaking economic development.”

 

For the full story, click here.

Darlington Raceway To Have Limited Fans For NASCAR Weekend In May

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As NASCAR returns to the track Too Tough to Tame at Darlington Raceway, the track will host a limited, reduced number of fans throughout the Official Throwback Weekend of NASCAR on the new spring race weekend of May 7-9.  Darlington Raceway will host the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series May 7 at 7:30 p.m., the NASCAR Xfinity Series May 8 at 1 p.m. and the NASCAR Cup Series on Mother’s Day, May 9 at 3:30 p.m.  The reduced capacity for the 2021 spring event weekend is due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and continues in accordance with enhanced safety protocols and procedures to provide a safe environment for fans, competitors, employees and industry personnel.

For the full story, click here.

HopeHealth At Francis Marion University Celebrates 10th Anniversary

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HopeHealth at Francis Marion University celebrated the 10th anniversary of the partnership between HopeHealth and FMU as well as expansion of clinical and office space with a ribbon cutting Thursday, February 25th at 121 S. Evander Drive in Florence.  The partnership began with Dr. Paul DeMarco as the lone physician. Now he is joined by two HopeHealth nurse practitioners, Meagan Bennett and Regina Stanley, and FMU student health nurse practitioner Sharon Walters.

For the full story, click here.

Florence Chamber Makes SCORE Mentor-ship Available in The Pee Dee

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SCORE PEE DEE is now made possible with the support of the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce. Florence is a terrific community in which to work and live and the Florence Chamber is privileged to be a vital part of so much that happens in our community. We’re like a neighbor to all; bringing news, activities and support to businesses across the Pee Dee region. The SCORE PEE DEE mentorship programs offer experts with experience in areas such as; accounting, finance, human resources, consulting, import/export, law, operations, production, retail, wholesale, manufacturing, sales, marketing, management, business plan preparation, strategic planning, and many other business disciplines. For more information, click on the link below or call the Chamber offices at 843-665-0515.

For more information, click here.

Chamber Announces Outlook Luncheon with Lt. Governor

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Pamela Evette, the South Carolina Lt. Governor, will be the featured speaker on Wednesday, March 17th at the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce’s Outlook Luncheon.  The luncheon will be held at the Florence Center. The community and local business leaders are invited.  The program will include the announcement of the Small Business Person of the Year which is sponsored by Dedicated Community Bank and the Public Servant of the Year which is sponsored by Francis Marion University.  Luncheon reservations are limited because of state COVID-19 health and safety guidelines.

To register, please click here.

Florence’s Former O’Dowd, Carolina Theater In Line for Renovation & Restoration

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It’s highly unlikely anyone alive remembers when it wasn’t there, and it’s equally unlikely anyone takes much notice of it today — though it remains and is a survivor. And it’s about to get a second act, or maybe a third act — fourth act? “It’s been through more renovations than we thought,” Florence Assistant City Manager Clint Moore said. The more demolition crews dig into Florence’s historic downtown theater — once the O’Dowd and then the Carolina — the more city officials learn of renovations and redesigns of which they were unaware, said Moore, who is overseeing the project for Florence.

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The Florence Chamber Fostering a New Business Resource

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The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce is currently fostering a partnership with Grand Strand SCORE to establish a Pee Dee SCORE Branch. The goal is to develop additional resources for our local small business communities through mentoring and education.

SCORE is a nonprofit resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration dedicated to the formation and growth of small businesses throughout the United States. It provides free business advice and mentoring, offering low or no-cost business training and sharing free business templates and resources. While we are a few weeks away from an official launch, we do recommend the virtual business courses listed below and are available for free in February. If you have any questions, please contact the Florence Chamber at 843-665-0515.

Simple Steps to Exiting your Business (virtual)

Date: 2/9/21 Time: 12-1:30 pm

This 3-part series workshop, developed by MassMutual and SCORE, will help you plan for the next stage for your business, for yourself, and for generations to come. Part 1: Succession Planning, Part 2: Retirement Planning, Part 3: Estate Planning

for more information, click here: https://grandstrand.score.org/event/simple-steps-exiting-your-business-9

 

Marketing at a Glance (virtual)

Date: 2/18/21 Time: 12-1:30

This presentation is for the business owners who want to properly market their products (or services) by attracting new customers and retaining existing ones (virtually or in person).
The following topics will be covered in this presentation:

– Definition and 4 P’s of Marketing
– Marketing Plan, its benefits and requirements
– Market segmentation and your targeted market
– Importance of effective messaging for Digital Marketing
– Marketing Strategy, Goals and Cost

For More Information, click here: https://grandstrand.score.org/event/marketing-glance-0

 

Making Money from Home in 10 Steps (virtual)

Date: 2/23/21 Time: 12-1:30pm; For More Information Click here: https://grandstrand.score.org/event/making-money-home-10-steps

 

Digital Technology for Business optimization and Growth (virtual)

Date: 2/25/21 – Time: 12-1:30

This workshop provides owners with information on multiple topics, including the role of the small businesses in the U.S., challenges, trends, market changes and the use of technology for the business growth. The following topics will be covered:
-Overview of disruptive technologies
-Examples of existing solutions for various areas in small business operations (CRM, digital marketing, customer service, etc.)

For more information, click here: https://grandstrand.score.org/event/digital-technology-business-optimization-growth

Virtual Business Session: How to Do Business with our Local Government and School Systems

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The program, sponsored by the chambers PRISM initiative, will help share the opportunities that exist for small, minority and women-owned businesses to offer their services to Florence One Schools, the city of Florence and Florence County.  This informative webinar will provide overviews on the procurement process for taking advantage of opportunities you may never knew existed.  Guest panelists include individuals from: Florence One Schools, City of Florence and Florence County.  Attendees will learn:  The language and process basics of doing business with the above entities; The different goods and services that are needed from local vendors; How to register as a vendor; How to prepare proposals and find bid opportunities.

To register online, click here.

PRISM & Chamber to Host Next Level Strategies for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Virtual Webinar

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This free event will be held via Zoom.  This event includes a presentation from keynote speaker, Rhonda Midgette, Vice President of Human Resources at TD Bank and owner of Insightful HR.  The webinar will dissect the essential subject matter in promoting diverse, equitable and inclusive practices across all sectors of business and community.  Top Of Mind Challenges:  DEI Best Practices, Community Action Items & Q&A.

To register online, click here.