Florence After Five Free Concert Series Continues This Evening with the Band of Oz

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(image courtesy: Band of Oz Facebook Page)

Don’t miss the FREE concert tonight in the heart of Florence’s Downtown!

The Band of Oz takes the stage beginning at 6 pm.

The music continues until 8:30 and the event will feature vendors including: Victor’s, Crown Beverages, Rita’s, Wholly Smokin’, 1031, Clay Pot, Brooklyn South Deli and more!

Don’t miss out on the fun!

You can find even more details by clicking the link to the event page below:

Florence After Five Concert Series

10 Tactics to Get More Positive Online Reviews for Your Small Business

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Ever wonder how you can get a handle on online reviews of your small business?

According to the Small Business Administration’s blog, anywhere from 51 percent to 90 percent of consumers read and trust online reviews.

Even if we take the smallest number, that’s still over half of consumers paying attention to online reviews.

That makes good reviews critical for any kind of business where people look for and read online reviews of products or services.

The most important thing to remember is that you -can- have an impact on reviews affecting your business — it’s not out of your hands.

Here are ten tactics from the SBA:

10 Tactics to Get More Positive Reviews

Enrollment Underway for FDTC Entrepreneurship Program

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Do You Have What It Takes To Be Your Own Boss?
 

Starting your own business can be fulfilling and challenging.

The FDTC Entrepreneurship Program can prepare you for success.
 

The number one reason most business start-ups fail is lack of planning.

 
The FDTC Entrepreneurship Program has been designed to provide participants with the tools, strategies, and confidence needed to determine the feasibility of, launch and grow a new business.

This six-course program will provide the foundation of knowledge you’ll need to plan and manage your new business and to avoid the mistakes most common in failed start-ups. All courses are led by experienced entrepreneurs who have enjoyed business success and will share their knowledge and experiences in an open, easy-to-follow, discussion format.

Participants will have the opportunity to:
* Learn key assessment and feasibility techniques including design thinking, product definition, rapid iteration testing, and designing the minimum

viable product.

* Acquire tools for assessing product and market fit,including understanding target markets and marketsegmentation and performing effective industry and competitive analyses.

* Develop an understanding of how to grow and nurture the business through effective brand building, cash flow management and resource allocation, and embracing change and uncertainty for competitive advantage.

* Gain a better understanding of themselves as entrepreneurs including their motivations, roles, and

key responsibilities.

* Explore the notion of building a winning team and other common challenges facing founders and CEOs.
 Enrollment is limited. Classes begin August 15.
For more information, contact: Mitch House, Department Chair

FDTC Department of Business and International Programs

843-661-8166   Mitch.House@fdtc.edu

Town Hall Restaurant Opens its Doors this Week in Downtown Florence

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(images courtesy: Town Hall Facebook)

One of Florence’s most-anticipated new downtown spots officially opens its doors this week!

Town Hall is led by executive chef Bobby Hodge, who uses fresh and local ingredients to create New Southern dishes.

They’re located right across the street from the Chamber at 101 W. Evans Street!

Are you excited to try them out? Visit Town Hall’s Facebook page for more information:

Town Hall FB Page

Florence Downtown’s Weekly Newsletter

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Check out this week’s wrap-up of what’s taking place in Florence’s Downtown!

Follow the link below to learn more about everything from the FREE Florence After Five concert that takes place this Friday, to live music in the Renaissance Courtyard, the upcoming Farmer’s Market, events at the Library, Museum and much more!

Florence Downtown Newsletter

Pat Gibson Hye-Moore Wins Runoff in Seat Vacated by the Late Ed Robinson

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( Pat Gibson Hye-Moore (left) and LaShonda NeSmith (right)
From the Morning News: “Florence School District 1 Board Member Pat Gibson-Hye Moore defeated Florence County Democratic Chairwoman LaShonda NeSmith in the Florence District 2 primary runoff Tuesday, becoming the eventual councilwoman for the district represented for more than 25 years by the late Ed Robinson.
 
Moore took home 54.6 percent of the votes, while NeSmith held 45.4 percent –that’s 346 votes for Moore and 288 for NeSmith.
 
There will be a general election for this seat on July 26, but Moore will face no opposition on that ballot.”
Read the full article by clicking below:
SCnow.com web article- Moore Wins Runoff

Band of Oz to Headline Florence After Five Concert Series this Friday

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(Image courtesy: Florence Downtown Development Corp.)

The Final Friday of each month from April to October, the Florence Downtown Development Corporation and City of Florence host a FREE concert on S. Dargan Street between Evans and Cheves Streets in Historic Downtown Florence.

This week’s event will feature the music of the Band of Oz and a free Kids’ Zone!

The event starts at 5:30 pm and the band starts playing at 6 pm.

Food and Beverages are available at the event.

All food and beverage sales are made via tickets which can be purchased at the ticket booth located near the driveway at 135 S. Dargan. Look for the giant white ticket flag.

For more information, visit:

Florence After Five Concert Series

 

Use Technology to Track Data in Your Small Business

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(image courtesy: Forbes.com)

New technologies make it very easy to track everything in your small business- from what makes your employees productive to what engages your customers…Why not take advantage?

Take a look at this article from Forbes on tracking data in your small business and the difference that it can make.

According to the article, “tracking is one of the key pillars of a successful business. Without tracking, the business owner simply cannot know what works and what does not. It is also difficult to see where the inefficiencies are and how they can be improved upon.

The best way to become a data genius is to get into the habit of tracking everything when it comes to your business, and that includes the website, customers, and employees.”

To read the full list, click on the link to the article below:

Forbes.com web article: Tracking data in your small business

Tuesday Runoff Will Determine Future of Florence District 2 Seat

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(Image courtesy: SCnow.com)

An important runoff this Tuesday will determine the Florence City Council District 2 seat.

The position has been vacant since the untimely death of long-time City Councilman Edward Robinson.

Florence School District 1 board member Pat Gibson-Hye Moore and Florence County Democratic Chairwoman LaShonda NeSmith are both now vying for the position.

Read more about their stances, the race itself and what it will mean for the City of Florence in the article below from the Morning News:

SCnow.com web article- 2016 Election Coverage

PDRTA Considers Rate Changes for Florence Area Transit System

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pdrta
(image courtesy: PDRTA)
The PDRTA is considering a proposal that would keep full bus fares at $1.50, raise all-day pass rates from $4 to $5 but decrease 10-ride pass rates from $15 to $13. Under the system, a 20-ride pass would decrease from $30 to $25 and a 30-day pass would provide a “limitless” number of rides.
The transit system operates buses throughout Florence, South Carolina and the surrounding Pee Dee area, including Darlington, Lake City, and all the way to Myrtle Beach. The PDRTA recently also introduced routes in Coward, Lamar, Olanta, Scranton and Timmonsville.
 
You can read all about the proposal and what it would mean for the transit agency by clicking on the link below to the Morning News article: