O’Laire Named VP of HR Operations for McLeod Health

/in , , /by

McLeod Health is pleased to announce that Beth O’Laire has been named Vice President of Human Resources Operations for McLeod Health.

O’Laire comes to McLeod from Ascension in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she served as Market Chief HR Executive. In her new role, O’Laire will be responsible for day-to-day leadership for Human Resources Operations including Compensation and Benefits Administration, Employee Relations and Retention,  Human Resources Information Systems, the McLeod Child Development Center and Records Management.

Estimates Show S.C.’s Population To Increase to 6.4 Million by 2042

/in , , /by

South Carolina’s population is projected to increase by an additional 1 million residents by 2042, according to new data released this week by the state’s Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office (RFA). If the projections hold, South Carolina’s population will total nearly 6.4 million residents in 2042, a 19% increase from 2024 levels (over 5.3 million).

According to the projections, five counties (Horry, Berkeley, Jasper, Lancaster, and Spartanburg) will see their population increase by 49 percent or more from 2024 to 2042. Other counties that will see significant growth in pure population numbers include Greenville and York counties. It is estimated that many rural counties will likely lose residents over the next 18-year period, with a dozen counties having less than 20,000 residents by 2042.

South Carolina was the fastest-growing state in the country by percentage change in 2023, and the 5th fastest-growing state in the country by numeric change. More information on the new projections can be found here.

SC NEXUS Receives $45 Million In Federal Funding

/in , , /by

Last week, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded over $500 million in grant funding to various tech hubs programs across the country, including $45 million for the SC Nexus for Advanced Resilient Energy (SC NEXUS). The EDA funds are designed to scale up the production of critical technologies, create jobs in innovative industries, and strengthen U.S. economic competitiveness and national security. Of the 31 EDA-designated entities eligible to apply for the funding, SC NEXUS is one of only 12 tech hubs that received part of the grant.

Of the six projects submitted by SC NEXUS for funding consideration, four received funding including:

  • $9.99 million to the Savannah River National Lab to establish a cyber testing range for grid-connected equipment, with both grid operator training and equipment testing benefits.
  • $12.5 million to Clemson University for a project that will upgrade the North Charleston eGRID facility’s power and voltage testing capabilities for grid-connected equipment.
  • $10.2 million to the Carolina Institute for Battery Innovation (CIBI), a project led by the University of South Carolina that will establish a stationary battery manufacturing pilot line in Columbia.
  • $12.6 million to the Education and Workforce Center project, led by the SC Technical College System to enhance awareness of South Carolina’s energy-focused industries and job opportunities, identify and develop skills necessary for success in these roles and provide critical support services to ensure advanced energy workers have access to these opportunities.

SC NEXUS is a public and private consortium led by the S.C. Department of Commerce and comprised of over 50 universities, technical colleges, state agencies, economic development alliances, community organizations, nonprofits, and private companies, including electric utilities. More information on SC Nexus and the federal grant funding can be found here.

Tap Into Downtown Set for September 13

/in , , /by

Tap into Downtown is BACK for its 5th year! Make your way through downtown shops and restaurants and sample a variety of craft brews.

Tap into Downtown Florence with a beer crawl like no other. Make your way through downtown businesses acting as brew pubs and sample several different craft beers. Try a few favorites or dare to delight in something a little different. This craft beer event promises to deliver a fun and unique tasting experience for all attendees.

Tickets are $25 if you purchase them ahead of time and $30 as supplies last at the door. They sold out last year before the event, so get your tickets early if you plan to attend!

To view the Facebook event page, click here.

MUSC Health Florence Urology Featured On ChamberLink Radio

/in , , /by

Dr. Barry Bodie, Urologist for MUSC of Florence, was the Florence Chamber’s guest this past weekend on ChamberLink Radio talking about the importance of men’s health. We encourage you to tune-in every Sunday from 12:00-12:30pm on LIVE 95.3FM in Florence, SC.

This program is brought to you by the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

Makor K9 Of South Carolina Holds Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

/in , , , /by

Makor K9 Of South Carolina with owners Justin Kerr & Ryan Kerr, along with Florence County Sheriffs and Chamber Ambassador’s cut their ribbon joining the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce and open their doors for business.

Makor K9 of South Carolina provides dog grooming, boarding, and doggy daycare for dogs of all breeds and sizes.

They offer dog training. On leash obedience, off leash obedience, behavior modification, police K9 training, police K9s, military K9s, narcotic detection K9s, explosive detection K9s, agility course training, personal protection, tracking K9s/training, service dog training, K9 team certifications.

To read the full story, click here.

City Offers Credit Counseling And Homeownership Workshop

/in , , /by

Have you ever wondered what goes on into structuring a mortgage?  Are you interested in becoming a homeowner and want more information about owner financing and future homeownership opportunities in the City of Florence?  Join them at their next meeting on Tuesday, July 30 from 5:30 – 6:30 PM at the Council Chambers inside the City Center.

To view the full flyer, click here.

Loan & Capital Resources For Small Business Workshop – This Wednesday

/in , , /by

Interested in applying for a loan for your small business? Make sure to attend this free, in-person workshop led by Ed Brock, Senior Lending Officer for the Catawba Regional Council of Governments. The workshop will take place on Wednesday, July 17th from 5:30 – 7:00 PM at the FMU Kelley Center in Downtown Florence. Attendees will learn about loan sources, how to apply for a government loan, and technical assistance resources that can help with loan applications and business plans.

To register, click here.

McLeod Health To Host Back To School Bash

/in , , /by

Parents and grandparents! Join McLeod Health with the kids for a fun & fabulous Back to School Bash from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, July 20 at the McLeod Health & Fitness Center in Florence. We’ll have school supplies, games, a bounce house and so much more. Questions? Call 843-777-6554

To view the event page, click here.

Smiling Scoops Is Open For Business In Downtown Florence

/in , , , /by

Smiling Scoops Owners, Stoney and Whitney Duprey, along with family and Chamber Ambassadors, cut their ribbon to officially open their doors and join the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, July 10th.

Smiling Scoops started with an idea years ago and it came to reality this year. Stoney and Whitney were thinking of a way to bring a family friendly experience to Downtown Florence, somewhere you can go to get away from home to enjoy something different. They thought about it and decided there is nothing like some good old fashioned Ice Cream.

Smiling Scoops offers a variety of different flavors of ice cream, milkshakes, sundaes and more.

To read the full story, click here.