Chamber hosts Regional Education Summit

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“The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce hosted a Regional Education Summit Wednesday morning at the Florence Civic Center.

Speakers were: Hood Temple, 7th District representative for the Commission on Higher Education, Francis Marion University president Dr. Fred Carter and Florence-Darlington Technical College president Dr. Ben Dillard.”

SCNow.com web article – Chamber hosts Regional Education Summit

Carolinas Hospital System announces Mayo Clinic collaboration

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(image courtesy: Joe Perry/SCnow.com)

“FLORENCE —  Carolinas Hospital System announced today it will become part of the Mayo Clinic Care Network in a collaboration designed to improve the delivery of care and bring about a new level of healthcare expertise.

Carolinas chief executive officer Darcy Craven called it an “historic day” for not just for the hospital, but for Florence as well as the overall Pee Dee region.

“Today we’re announcing a clinically significant collaboration,” he said, that will give providers at Carolinas access to the resources of “the most respected, recognized healthcare system in the world – the Mayo Clinic.”

Dr. Ryan Uitti, a neurologist and medical director of the Mayo Clinic Care Network’s southeast region, said the network has grown to include 40 member organizations around the world over the last five years.”

SCNow.com Web article – Carolinas Hospital System announces Mayo Clinic collaboration

U.S. News’ ‘Best Colleges’ include FMU, Coker College

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(image courtesy: Melissa Lloyd/ SCnow.com)

“FLORENCE, S.C. – Francis Marion University and Coker College once again are ranked among U.S. News & World Report magazine’s top regional universities and colleges in the South.

FMU is listed at No. 33 among 46 public schools in the South, and it is tied for No. 84 among 146 regional universities overall. The South region includes 12 states.

The Citadel is the No. 1 public school in the South, and it ranks No. 3 among regional universities overall.

Coker is rated at No. 6 among 113 regional colleges. That’s up 14 spots from last year. At No. 5, USC-Aiken is the only South Carolina college ranked higher.

The 2017 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges,” one of the oldest of the dozens of college rating sites on the Internet, is available now online. The information also will appear in the magazine’s print editions later this month.

FMU has been a regular member of the top-ranked Regional Universities for more than decade. Coker is ranked for the 21st consecutive year.”

Click below to read the entire article from the Morning News:

SCnow.com web article – U.S. News’ ‘Best Colleges’ include FMU, Coker College

City, County Leaders Discuss Potential Parking Deck

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(image courtesy: Joshua Lloyd/ SCnow.com)

City and County leaders met Wednesday to talk about a proposed parking deck, where it should go and how it will impact areas currently plagued by construction-related parking woes.

From the Morning News:

“FLORENCE, S.C. – Florence County and City of Florence officials converged Wednesday morning in an “off-the-books” meeting for an overdue discussion about parking in the downtown area of Florence, as construction booms have tied up hundreds of spaces.

Wednesday’s meeting was focused on a parking study of the area that took months to complete and factored in the 320-space city parking deck, as well as parking that will be freed up when construction ends.

The study, commissioned by the city and completed by CDM Smith Inc., indicates parking is currently adequate in the area but will not be sustainable in the next two to five years.”

Click below to read the entire article from the Morning News:

SCnow.com web article- Proposed Parking Deck

FDTC Education Foundation to Host Fall Gala

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FDTC Gala

Join us for an evening of Jazz at “Club SiMT.”

The legendary Preservation Hall Jazz Band of New Orleans will provide the tunes as we celebrate FDTC’s anniversary!

Follow the link to purchase tickets.

Click Here to Purchase Tickets

The Foundation was established in 1979 to help ensure that Florence-Darlington Technical College (FDTC) will be able to continue its contribution to the economic development of the area and the personal enrichment of the citizens of the Pee Dee. FDTC, one of sixteen comprehensive two-year technical colleges in South Carolina, serves the diverse educational needs of Florence, Darlington and Marion counties and is fully accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. An open admissions college, FDTC provides quality, affordable transfer and career programs leading to Associate Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates in an environment conducive to achieving excellence in teaching and learning.

The Florence-Darlington Technical College Educational Foundation Inc., is chartered in the State of South Carolina as a not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization under Section 501 � (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Foundation is separate from the college but operates exclusively for the benefit of the College. It is governed by a Board of trustees, of which the College President and one (1) member of the FDTC Area Commission, FDTC’s governing board, serve as ex-officio members.

The FDTC Foundation acquires its funding from charitable contributions from businesses, industries, civic and professional groups, other foundations, alumni, and individuals. Gifts can be made in many ways and can be arranged to provide maximum tax benefits to the donor — while providing generous support to the College.

Contributions to the FDTC Foundation may be in the form of cash, real or personal property, or securities. Bequests made through wills, insurance policies or trusts, which name the college as beneficiary, are another means of giving. The gifts may be designated (restricted) or unrestricted, and they may be made in one tax year or spread over several tax years.

Get Tickets Now for Chamber’s Annual Luncheon on September 23rd

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Get your tickets now for the Chamber’s Annual Membership Luncheon on September 23rd.

The event will take place at the Florence Civic Center on Friday, September 23rd. Doors will open to the public at 11:45 am. The program will begin at noon.
 
J. Michael Luttig, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of The Boeing Company, will be the keynote speaker at the Luncheon on September 23rd.
 
The Chamber will also be presenting the Business Person of the Year Award at the Annual Membership Luncheon, which is sponsored by Wells Fargo Bank, Wells Fargo Advisors and Wells Fargo Mortgage.
 
Luttig is responsible for leading the Boeing Law Department across the company and is a member of the company Executive Council. Mr. Luttig played a significant role in the process that led to Boeing locating in South Carolina.
 
Luttig joined Boeing after having served on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit for 15 years. At the time of his 1991 appointment by President George H. W. Bush, Luttig was the youngest federal appeals court judge in the country.
 
“We all know how great it is to see companies like Boeing locating in South Carolina. It shows anything is possible with the right plan and state support structure,” Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce President Mike Miller said of Boeing’s impact on the state and region. “Having Michael Luttig speak at our luncheon will help us understand Boeing’s plan and will give insight into what’s next in this industry and what it means to our region,” Miller continued.
 
Tickets are available online at flochamber.com and at the Florence Chamber offices at 100 W. Evans St. and are $30 for Chamber members and $40 for non-members. A reserved table of 8 is also available for $450.

Click for more details:

2016 Annual Membership Luncheon

Time for Growth: Building Your Personal Brand in the Community

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Please take a moment to check out the Florence Chamber’s Les Echols in the newest issue of VIP Magazine!

His article focuses on the steps you need to take to build your personal brand in the community.

You can click on the link below to see the issue in its entirety, zoom in to read articles and flip through the pages…all online!

VIP Magazine Web Edition

Site Preparation Underway for Downtown Hyatt Place Hotel

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(image courtesy: Joe Perry/SCnow.com)

From the Morning News:

“Another phase of downtown revitalization is underway as site preparation for a new five story Hyatt Place hotel began with tree removal by Lake City-based L & B Developers.

Site supervisor Chris Bunton of Aiken-based general contractor Gilliam & Associates said Wednesday they removed several crepe myrtles on Tuesday and will likely be done removing willow oak trees along East Evans Street by day’s end. All told, he thinks construction could begin in four months.

The $15 million, 103-room hotel is being developed by SpringBridge Development and will be managed by Raines Hospitality. It is slated to open in the first quarter of 2018.”

See the entire article and view all of the associated images by clicking the link below:

SCnow.com web article- Hyatt Place Hotel Construction

YPF Kick-Off Tailgate Set for Thursday Evening

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It’s football season and don’t forget to join Young Professionals THIS evening for the YPF Kick-Off Tailgate!

Join YPF on Thursday, September 1 to kick off the 2016 college football season during the USC v. Vanderbilt game!

YPF Members get in FREE!!!
(sign up at https://www.flochamber.com/membership/young-professionals-of-florence/)
Tickets for Non-Members are $30 for 1 or $50 for 2

Prettier than Matt will be playing before the game and during half-time.

Event will take place in the open lot adjacent to Muscovy’s – bring your own tent and tailgate supplies to represent your favorite team (does not have to be USC or Vanderbilt!!!).

Contest for FAVORITE FAN! Winner will receive 2 tickets to the Darlington Bojangles Southern 500 NASCAR race (winner to be announced after the game).

You can find all of the details on the event by clicking on the link below.

Facebook Event Page