Kickin’ Chicken Wing & Chili Fest Applications Are Now Available

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The Chamber’s Kickin’ Chicken cooking applications are now available for local individuals and companies that want to enter the festival cook-off scheduled for October 20th in downtown Florence. Wing team registration is $100 and chili registration will be $25. 1st Place winner in the wing’s competition will receive $500 and the 1st Place chili winner will receive $150. There are awards for runner-up in each category. Certain requirements are needed to meet the minimum volume for wings and chili cooking. Chicken wings will be provided to the wing cookers. To register, please contact Jay Lavrinc or Les Echols at the Chamber offices at (843) 665-0515.

The CARE House Presents Take Me Out to the Ball Game

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Join The CARE House at the ballpark on Thursday, July 13th to see the Florence Flamingos take on the Wilmington Sharks while supporting quality services for victims of child abuse and neglect! Tickets are $16 and include unlimited food & drinks, a Flamingos hat and an exciting ballpark experience! $5 from every ticket purchased through the CARE House event page will be donated to the CARE House of the Pee Dee. Use password: Care2023 at purchase.

Visit www.thecarehouse.com/take-me-out-to-the-ball-game for more information or to purchase tickets. Contact Alice Curry Gallego at 843-629-0736 or via email at agallego@thecarehouse.com with any questions!

Better Business Bureau To Host Free Professional Headshot Event In Florence

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Better Business Bureau serving Eastern Carolinas (BBB) is hosting a free professional headshot event on Wednesday, June 28 from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm at the Gould Business Incubator on the campus of Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing Technology, located at 1951 Pisgah Road, Florence, SC 29501.

“We are excited to partner with the Gould Business Incubator to provide free headshots to professionals in and around Florence who are looking to make an impression within the business community,” said Mallory Wojciechowski, president and CEO of BBB serving Eastern Carolinas. “All business owners, new graduates, entrepreneurs and those currently navigating their career are welcome to attend.”

In addition to receiving a free headshot, attendees will also be able to network with other professionals, as well as learn more about BBB and how the organization can provide support to both entrepreneurs and established businesses.

To read the press release, click here.

United Way of Florence County Announces New Focus Areas

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Following a year of community conversation and extensive study, United Way of Florence County has announced three new focus areas supporting its long-standing efforts to improve education, health and financial stability in the area.

In education, the organization will prioritize expanding opportunities and activities in early childhood.  Health efforts will focus on improving services supporting mental health, and in the area of financial stability, United Way will work to promote home rehabilitation and meet basic needs.

“The transition to the collective impact model has given us an important opportunity to thoroughly assess our area’s specific challenges and identify the kinds of efforts that can best move the community forward,” Webb said.  “The task force has taken a very hands-on approach to this work, and we believe we have set targets that can make a real and lasting difference in the lives of the people we’re here to serve.”

To read the full press release, click here.

Florence Darlington Tech To Host Electrical Trades Breakfast

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Are you a student or parent of a student who attends a local public, private, charter, or home school? Are you interested in learning how you can earn an associate degree along with your high school diploma? FDTC will be hosting a Dual Enrollment Information Night on Tuesday, July 18th from 6 – 7 pm. The event will take place at the SiMT,1951 Pisgah Rd., Florence.

Click here to register.

Darlington Freedom Fest

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Freedom Fest is right around the corner this Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Freedom Fest will be held on the Darlington square from 4PM-9PM. Come and enjoy the amusement rides, petting zoo, food & retail vendors, live entertainment, and a great firework display! Best of all, the entire event is FREE! Come out and share this event with others!

Chamber Recognizes Incoming & Departing Board Members

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On Thursday, June 15th the Greater Florence Chamber held their annual Board Appreciation Luncheon at Victors in Downtown Florence. During the program the chamber recognized the outgoing board members; Diana Murphy Eaddy, Diversity Works Magazine; Kristy Fowler, Raines Co.; Robby Hill, HillSouth; Jim Ivey, Dedicated Community Bank; Chad Patterson, Raldex Hospitality and Christina O’Malley, MUSC.

The Chamber also introduced the incoming board members Kirby Anderson, Raldex Hospitality; Lethonia Barnes, City of Florence; Amber Fort, Raines Co.; David Fountain, The UPS Stores; Jay Hinesley, MUSC Health Florence Medical Center; Dr. Brian Sang, Palmetto Smiles; Amber Sellers, Wells Fargo and Linward Edwards, II, Law Office of Linward Edwards.

Mike Miller, president of the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce, presented Paul Seward the Chairman’s service plaque for his work during 2022-2023 term. Seward has served two different times as Chairman of the Florence Chamber.

South Carolina’s Hospitality Industry Sees Strong Start To 2023

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South Carolina’s hospitality industry has had a strong start in 2023 despite a decrease in the number of rooms available statewide, according to a recent report from Colliers South Carolina.

Statistics show that the industry has outperformed year-over-year, with a strong first quarter in 2023.

Investors in the industry as well as property owners have been dealing with a unique market situation as they navigated the current lending environment, according to the report. Buyers have realized the high cost of debt and adjusted underwriting while sellers, which resulted in softer transaction volumes in the first quarter of this year, the report said.

To read the full story, click here.

Florence To Get First-Of-Its-Kind $100 Million Behavioral Health Facility

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A first-of-its kind $100 million behavioral health facility will be coming to Florence.

The facility will be named after the late Sen. Hugh. K Leatherman and construction will begin in 2024, according to a news release from the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

Gov. Henry McMaster, along with South Carolina House Speaker Murrell Smith, Florence Mayor Teresa Myers Ervin, several healthcare organizations and university leaders were at the historic announcement on Thursday, June 15th at MUSC Health’s Florence Rehabilitation Center at 121 East Cedar Street.

To read the full story, click here.

Florence County Short On Housing Inventory

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Those hoping to buy a home in Florence County may not find what they’re looking for due to a lack of inventory. And with Florence’s population rapidly growing, the housing shortage could soon grow worse.

“Our problem right now is lack of inventory,” said Joey McMillan, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker. “That’s what’s driving this market right now.”

The housing shortage extends throughout Florence County. Karon Epps, a Realtor in Lake City, said availability is just as tight in southern Florence County as it is in the north.

To read the full story, click here.