Chamber Represented At Southeastern Employment And Training Association Conference

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The Chamber’s Les Echols represented the Florence Chamber and Pee Dee Workforce Development Board in March at the Southeastern Employment and Training Association conference in Cherokee, NC. Les was able to network with hundreds of workforce development professionals and leaders while learning practical strategies for workforce development.

Florence Food Truck Festival Returns April 12 – 13

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Join the Florence Center on April 12-13 for the Florence Food Truck Festival! This event will feature over 30 food trucks, live entertainment, games, kids zone, refreshing drinks, craft and retail vendors and SO MUCH MORE! This is a completely FREE event and pets are allowed. Bring friends and family to experience the fun! Get ready to indulge at the Florence Food Truck Festival… on Friday, April 12 and Saturday, April 13 at the Florence Center! Come hungry and leave happy! For more information visit florencecenter.com

The Boot Barn Is Open For Business

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Tiffany Brown along with employees and Chamber Ambassadors opened the Boot Barn with a ribbon cutting celebrating their grand opening and joining the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

Boot Barn, the nation’s leading western and work wear retailer, is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its newest store in Florence, South Carolina. The store is located at 1945 West Palmetto Street Unit 408, Florence, SC 29501.

The grand opening festivities were held throughout the weekend of April 5-7, 2024, with an array of exciting events and activities for the whole family to enjoy. Attendees can enter to win a free pair of boots in a boot giveaway, spin to win prizes, enjoy live music, and other specialty vendors.

To read the full story, click here.

Levy Park To Receive Major Upgrade

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Levy Park will receive a major $18 million upgrade, part of what officials described as a “transformational” project to revitalize the historically neglected neighborhood of East Florence.

The Levy Park Reimagination Project could involve a wide range of improvements — everything from new sports fields to a dog park to a splash pad. A conceptual plan prepared by the city may change depending on community feedback.

To read the full story, click here.

SC Senate Confirms Justin Powell As Next Secretary of Transportation

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Last Tuesday, the South Carolina Senate unanimously confirmed Justin Powell as the new Secretary of the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT). Powell, who previously served as SCDOT’s Chief Operating Officer and Chief of Staff, has a proven track record in civil engineering, transportation management, and policy. Before his tenure at SCDOT, Powell served as Assistant County Administrator in Horry County.

He succeeds retiring Secretary of Transportation Christy Hall who was recognized this past fall as the SC Chamber’s Public Servant of the Year (2023) for her tireless efforts and leadership to improve South Carolina’s transportation ecosystem, allowing commerce to flow freely throughout the state.

The Manna House Holds Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

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Melinda Waddell along with board members and Chamber Ambassadors cut the ribbon for Manna House after joining the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

The Manna House was established in 1991 to provide the NE Florence neighborhoods with a soup kitchen and food pantry. Their mission is to create a Hunger-Free Florence by providing free meals to their neighbors who are underserved, underemployed, disabled, or unhoused. Manna House serves over 8,300 individual meals and provides groceries for over 350 families monthly.

Melinda is excited to announce that, beginning April 1, they will have transitioned their pantry to “Client Choice.” This model, set up like a grocery store, will allow clients to choose and shop for themselves and their families. They will also receive educational materials and other resources to assist them in making healthier food choices.

To read the full story, click here.

The CARE House Featured On ChamberLink Radio

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Alice Gallego, Development & Community Relations Director and Lenora Lefew, Outreach Coordinator at The CARE House, was the Chamber’s radio guest on ChamberLink Radio this past weekend, talking about about how they offer Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy. They also provide advocacy to every family that walks through The CARE House Doors. You can catch the conversation each Sunday from 12:00 – 12:30 pm on LIVE 95.3FM in Florence, SC.

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

Arts International Festival Happening This Weekend

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Arts International is FMU’s annual community celebration of arts and culture. The festival will feature music, international cuisine, artisans, and other fun events and activities.

Admission to Arts International is free and open to the public, along with all the festival’s entertainment. Food trucks selling refreshments will be available for purchase, along with craft items from local artisans.

Younger attendees will enjoy the Children’s Area, which will include a drum circle, a community mural, face painting, balloon animals, bubbles, and more.

For more information, click here.

ARD Trucking Business After Hours

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ARD Trucking was packed last Thursday evening for their ribbon cutting and Business After Hours event. Florence Chamber staff & ambassadors, business friends and family celebrated the company’s brand-new trucking facility at 4130 Alligator Road in Timmonsville.

One Child At A Time To Hold 3rd Annual Freedom Walk

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One Child At A Time’s Third Annual Freedom Walk in support of bringing Human Trafficking Awareness to the Pee Dee takes place on July 27, 2024, at Darlington Raceway, 1301 Harry Byrd Hwy, Darling, S.C. 29532. The event begins at 7:30 am and ends at 10:30 am. This year’s theme is “ONE LAP FOR ONE CHILD.” Each walker receives a T-shirt with Sponsor recognition.

The event is expected to be televised with radio station coverage, and Preparation is being made for at least 1,000 walkers.

For more information, click here,