FMU Kelley Center Is Accepting New Clients For Startup Incubator Program

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The FMU Kelley Center’s Florence office is now accepting new clients for our Startup Incubator Program!

The spaces available include: High speed internet, furnished and private professional offices, a shared community space, meeting and conference rooms, various office equipment (printer, copier, shredder, etc.), and access to Incubator staff to help you with your business needs!

The Startup Incubator Program is available for $325 a month and is open to anyone in the Pee Dee region. Please visit the link below to fill out your client intake form and get started on building or growing the business you’ve always dreamed of!

For more information, click here.

Pack N Stack Storage Holds Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

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Rodney Rogers along with family members, staff, friends, and Chamber Ambassadors cuts the ribbon thus joining the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, September 12th.

Rodney, a local business entrepreneur of Marion is proud to announce the opening of his newest facility at 3520 Alligator Road in Florence, PackNStack, LLC.

With a wide range of storage options, including standard and climate-controlled units, as well as convenient boat and RV parking, PackNStack, LLC aims to cater to the diverse storage needs of the Florence community.

To read the full story, click here.

Pals For Paws To Be Held September 30th

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Grab your coffee and a pup cup, because this is going to be FUR-BULOUS!

The first annual “Pals 4 Paws” event will be support & raise funds for the Florence Area Humane Society! So many companies and small businesses have come together to help out OUR 4 LEGGED FRIENDS! A full day of family fun! Classes, demonstration, shopping, Kid-zone, music, trivia, contests and MORE. There is fun for everyone in the family.

For more information, click here.

Junior Leadership Florence County Has First Session

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Jr. Leadership Florence County Class of 2023-2024 kicked off their program year, with the first session, Education Day, on Wednesday, September 13th.

Students were given a true Patriot Experience as they visited Francis Marion University’s Freshwater Ecology Center and Main Campus. Students started the day with Ms. Meranda Vinson, Assistant Director of Admissions. She presented on “Planning for College Success”. They were led on a tour of the FMU Freshwater Ecology Center by Dr. Jeff Steinmetz, Professor of Biology and Director of the Freshwater Ecology Center. Later, they were led on a tour of FMU Main Campus by Mr. Tristan Shird, Administrative Assistant and 4-H Volunteer. They had the opportunity to stop in the School of Health Sciences simulation lab and speak to current nursing students.

Their day ended at The Farm at Florence 1. Mr. Jeff Murrie gave students a glimpse of Agriculture Education that is right here in Florence County. He shared, “The Farm at Florence 1 will work diligently to be the epicenter of Education for Sustainability in our region and across the Palmetto State.” This is an excellent way for our program participants to come and volunteer at The Farm.

The JLFC program is made possible through the partnership of Clemson Extension 4-H, Francis Marion University, and the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce, as well as the involvement of the Florence County community.

To view photos from the day, click here.

Reaching Enriching Accelerating Lives, LLC Cuts The Yellow Ribbon On Her Membership

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Dr. Rechel M. Anderson owner of Reaching Enriching Accelerating Lives, LLC along with family members, community leaders, friends and Chamber Ambassadors had her ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, September 12th, joining the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

Reaching Enriching Accelerating Lives, LLC is a privately-owned, for-profit business in the State of South Carolina. It was founded by Dr. Rechel M. Anderson, CEO/Owner. Dr. Anderson, born and raised in Florence, is a graduate of West Florence High School. Dr. Rechel M. Anderson is a professional educator who enjoys serving others. More specifically, she is committed to enriching the lives of young people.

Reaching Enriching Accelerating Lives (R.E.A.L.), LLC originated as a need to provide High Management Child Caring Services in Florence, South Carolina and/or within the surrounding Pee Dee area to meet the needs of at-risk males, ages 12-21 years of age (e.g., abused/neglected, emotionally disturbed, dependent/neglected. status offenders, substance abuse, etc.).

To read the full story, click here.

Leadership Florence Holds Retreat In North Myrtle Beach

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The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce kicked off the Leadership Florence Class of 2024 Retreat on Sept. 11th at the Avista Resort in North Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Gina Trimarco of Pivot10 Results facilitated a wide-ranging discussion of leadership principles and strategies on Monday, followed by a dinner and a reception by the beach.

Tuesday September 12th, the class participated in a scavenger hunt/team building exercise at Wonderworks in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

To see the photos from the retreat, click here.

Senator Mike Reichenbach Addresses Crowd Last Wednesday At Chamber’s Legislative Drop In

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State Senator, Mike Reichenbach spoke at the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday to give local business and community leaders an update on the legislative happenings in Columbia.

Senator Reichenbach can’t be an expert on every topic that comes up in Columbia.

That’s what he told a crowd of local business and political leaders who gathered to hear him give a legislative update at the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday. Instead of trying to be an expert on everything from agriculture to veterans’ affairs, Reichenbach said, he focuses primarily on a few topics that his constituents say are the most important to them.

To read the full story, click here.

500 Townhomes Potentially Coming To The City Of Florence

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More than 500 town-homes could be coming northwest of the city of Florence from a longtime Pee Dee developer.

Chandler Reserve Club, located on Pisgah Road a few minutes from the Pee Dee State Farmer’s Market, is under construction and has approximately 200 houses built and are available for rent.

Jonathan Chandler, owner of Chandler Investment Properties, said they’ll continue building the houses as long as the demand is there.

Construction started in 2021 and 575 units are approved for construction.

“I really don’t know what the demand will continue to be,” Chandler said. “The economy keeps changing from time to time, inflation, job growth, things like that affect the rental business.”

Construction of the development is in the third phase, with 96 units planned for construction. Chandler said this phase would be completed mid-November.

To read the full story, click here.

Florence Center Will Host SCHSL State Basketball Semifinals & Finals

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“We’re ready to play ball,” Florence mayor Teresa Myers Ervin declared as perhaps the final box was checked off Thursday.

The press conference at the Florence Center marked the culmination of a partnership between the city/county and the S.C. High School League as Florence will be the sole host of the state basketball semifinals and finals for at least the next two seasons.

This will be the first time that one site will host the upper/lower state title games as well as the state title games for all classifications. The semifinals are slated for Feb. 23-28 with the finals taking place March 1-2.

For more information, click here.

End Of An Era At The Track

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Kerry Tharp’s favorite thing about stock car racing is the people. The Darlington Raceway president said that’s what NASCAR is all about.

In the week before his last race before retirement, Tharp spent much of his time with the people. He handed out doughnuts and sandwiches to fans, shook hands with reporters he corralled for a decade and rode around the infield on his golf cart, waving like royalty. He even held a pet lizard.

Tharp announced his retirement in June. The Sept. 3 Cook Out Southern 500 marked his last race at the The Track to Tough to Tame, and kicked off NASCAR’s playoffs.

Pictured, Kerry Tharp, Josh Harris and Chip Wile stand at a press conference announcing Harris as the new track president at Darlington Raceway.

To read the full story, click here.