McLeod Health Partners with WGU For Staff Educational Opportunities

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McLeod Health has signed a collaboration agreement with online nonprofit Western Governors University (WGU) that will provide personalized pathways to higher education through affordable bachelor’s and master’s degrees. As part of the agreement, McLeod Health employees will be eligible to apply for up to $2,500 in scholarships through the WGU Healthcare Partners Fund, disbursed in increments of $625 per six-month term for up to four terms.

WGU is accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Tuition is around $4,000 per term for most undergraduate degree programs, and students can take as many classes within a term as they wish with the consent of their assigned program mentor. WGU offers degrees in healthcare, IT, business, and K-12 education. WGU currently has more than 2,500 students and 6,500 graduates throughout South Carolina.

To read the full press release, click here.

Limited Seating Left For Pee Dee Economic Impact Luncheon

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Are you or your company registered to attend the South Carolina Ports’ Pee Dee Economic Impact Announcement & Luncheon on Monday, October 23, 2023? Only a few seats left. You have until tomorrow to register.

The South Carolina Ports extends its reach beyond the Port of Charleston to make a significant economic impact throughout South Carolina and in the Pee Dee. We hope you be able to attend this important South Carolina Ports Luncheon where Barbara Melvin, President and CEO of South Carolina Ports, and Dr. Joseph Von Nessen, Research Economist for USC Darla Moore School of Business will be speaking.

The special luncheon is being held at Florence Center, 3300 W. Radio Dr. in Florence. Doors are opening at 12 noon for registration and networking and the program begins at 12:30pm. Advance registration is required.

To register, click here.

Florence Chamber Fall Golf Tournament Draws A Crowd

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The Greater Florence Chamber held its annual Fall Golf Classic at Traces Golf Club, on Thursday, October 5th presented by Field Fastner.

Other sponsor support was provided by Pepsi of Florence, Pee Dee Food Service & Catering and TD Bank. First Bank took team photos throughout the day.

One hundred twenty-four golfers enjoyed the day starting with a clubhouse lunch at 11 a.m. After the noon shotgun start the golfers enjoyed 16 different hospitality tee box sponsors throughout the golf course offering wings, brats, and more brats, fried bologna sandwiches, various snacks, Pepsi beverages, beer, specialty drinks, prizes and other golf giveaways.

To see more photos from the day, click here.

MUSC Rehabilitation Center Featured On ChamberLink Radio

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Roxie Smallwood Florence Division Director, Erin Ward Speech-language pathologist and Alfred Jarman physical therapist at MUSC Rehabilitation Center, was on ChamberLink Radio this weekend to talk about their ability to help people pursue their goals throughout life with the full range of financial services that can help folks be prepared for significant life events.

You can catch the conversations on ChamberLink Radio each Sunday from 12:00-12:30pm on LIVE 95.3FM in Florence, SC.

ChamberLink Radio is brought to you by the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce and The UPS Stores.

Innovate Florence

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Join the Greater Florence Chamber and the the City of Florence for a free breakfast, networking and business growth as part of a new partnership called Innovate Florence.

The event will take place on October 26th at 8:30 am at the City Center, located at 324 West Evans Street.

Innovate Florence is an exciting partnership where several local entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to speak about their business and challenges they face, and the community gives them feedback and support.

The goal is to break down barriers and form meaningful connections.

To register online, click here.

2023 Healthcare Update Breakfast

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One of the Pee Dee’s most important businesses is the availability of great medical and healthcare services.

Our area healthcare providers are constantly undergoing changes in the platforms they work with and the way they deliver healthcare. These trends were further accelerated by COVID-19, so what does the future look like for healthcare, and how can providers stay one step ahead?

To find out what’s new in our healthcare future, join the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce’s Community Breakfast which will focus on current and future medical trends. The breakfast event will be held on November 3, 2023, at Florence Center. Doors open at 7:30am and the program will begin at 7:50am.

Speakers for the Healthcare Breakfast at the Florence Center will be Carl Humphries with HopeHealth, Will McLeod with McLeod Health and Jay Hinesley from MUSC Health Florence Medical Center.

Tickets are $225 for a reserved table or $25 for individual registration.

For questions about the program or registration, please call the Chamber at 843-665-0515.

To register, click here.

Could You Survive a Month In Poverty?

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Poverty is a reality for many individuals and families. But unless you’ve experienced poverty, it’s difficult to truly understand. The Community Action Poverty Simulation (CAPS) bridges that gap from misconception to understanding. CAPS is an interactive immersion experience. It sensitizes community participants to the realities of poverty.

CAPS is not a game. It is based on real Community Action clients and their lives. The Community Action Poverty Simulation helps participants rethink the challenges that millions of low-income individuals face each and every day.

Join colleagues and community members in this interactive immersion experience on November 1st, 2023 from 9:15 am through 12:30 pm at the Main Lobby of

FMU Performing Arts Center, 201 S Dargan St, Florence. Click below for registration or for more program information click this link https://www.povertysimulation.net/about/

For registration information, click here.

Kickin’ Chicken Wing & Chili Fest

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Get ready!

It’s that time of year for the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce’s annual Kickin’ Chicken Wing and Chili Festival with music by the Inland Band https://www.inlandband.com/

Be sure to put this fun downtown Florence event on your calendar.

The October 20th festival will feature local cookers competing for awards by local judges and for the coveted Peoples Choice Award sponsored by Community Broadcasters.

For those interested in competing in the cook-off with their special sauces for wings and chili, contact the Florence Chamber at 843-665-0515.

The festival will be held in the 100 block of South Dargan Street, downtown Florence from 5 to 9 p.m.

This year’s event is made possible by Raines Co. and Synergi Partners along with support from Willcox, Buyck & Williams, Victors, South Carolina Federal Credit Union, MPD Electric Cooperative, Florence Regional Arts Alliance, Florence Downtown Development Corp. and the City of Florence.

Pink and Blue Breast Cancer Walk

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On Saturday, October 14th, there will be a walk in Downtown Florence for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The walk will feature a costume contest, so participants are encouraged dress to impress as their favorite Barbie or Ken doll.

Barbie & Ken Breast Cancer Walk Registration will take place at the DHEC Complex located at 145 E Cheves St beginning at 7:30 AM.  Prayer and Warm Up at 8:30 AM and the walk will begin at 9:00 AM.

All proceeds from this event will benefit Mcleod Medical Center Foundation Let’s unite, create awareness, and show our love for those affected by this disease. Together, we’re stronger!

For more information, click here.

Downtown Fright Fest Promises A Scary Good Time In Downtown Florence On Friday The 13th

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The Downtown Fright Fest promises a scary good time in downtown Florence on Oct. 13 — that’s right, the event is on Friday the 13th.

Fright Fest is a new downtown event. It replaces Oktoberfest, said Hannah Davis, Florence Downtown Development Corp. Development Manager.

“They said, ‘We really want to see downtown do something for Halloween,’ ” Davis said. “We’ve got a great space for that. We retired our downtown Oktoberfest event for a number of reasons. Most were related to the cost to insure an event like Oktoberfest, as well as changing sponsorship needs.”

The idea grew and developed into a multifaceted event that includes costume contests, music, vendors, food and drink sales, and entertainment for adults and children.

Florence’s DJ Voodoo Child will get the Friday the 13th party started. He will be pumping out the music from 5:30-6:00 p.m., while Miracle Max and the Pet Monsters (80’s Tribute Band) will take the stage from 6:30-7:30 p.m. and 8:00-9:00 p.m.

For more information, click here.