Florence Receives $60,000 Railroad Crossing Grant

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A $60,000 grant will enable Florence to study 33 railroad crossings.  The project will lead to a plan to improve safety for some crossings.

The money comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), which awarded it to the state in Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Grant Program funding.

Florence received all of the grant.

The project will result in a publicly available action plan that will identify crossings requiring safety improvements and crossings of high safety concern to rail rights-of-way owned by CSX and South Carolina Central Railroad. The City of Florence will provide a 20 percent non-federal match.

To read the full story, click here.

Rocky Pearce To Be Honored At School Foundation Gala

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Joe W. Rocky Pearce, Jr., is a lifelong resident of Florence, South Carolina, graduating from McClenaghan High School in 1970. At McClenaghan, he lettered five years in golf under Coach Jack Sullivan, holding the number one position and becoming captain of the team his senior year.

Rocky is currently serving as chairman of the board of directors for the South Carolina Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA). The Authority is charged by the state of South Carolina with managing the state’s employee insurance programs and retirement systems for South Carolina’s public workforce. He has continued to serve the City of Florence. In 2013, he was appointed for the second time to the Florence County Economic Development Partnership Board, and currently serves as chairman of the board.

Click here for more information and ticket pricing. Suggestion – Get your tickets now, this Gala will sell-out fast.

Leroy S. McCoy Sr. HOPE Foundation Holds Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

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Leroy McCoy Jr. and his mother Dr. Debra McCoy cut the ribbon welcoming them to the Greater Florence Chamber on Tuesday, June 13th.

The Family of Leroy S. McCoy, Sr. announce the creation of the Leroy S. McCoy Sr. HOPE Foundation. This foundation was established on July 25, 2022, in honor of Leroy S. McCoy, Sr. who died on October 21, 2021, after experiencing many years of debilitating mobility and other health conditions. He was a disabled US Navy Veteran who had a passion for helping others, especially families, children, the elderly, and anyone in need.

To read the full story, click here.

South Carolina Legislative Update

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Members of the House of Representatives returned to Columbia last week for a quick day of session, while House and Senate conferees met to work on conference reports on items like the FY2023-24 budget. Notable actions taken this week included:

  • FY2023-24 Budget (H.4300) – On Thursday, a conference committee comprised of three House members and three Senators adopted and approved a compromise version of the state’s $13.8 billion FY2023-24 budget. The agreement comes on the heels of weeks-long negotiations between House and Senate budget writers. SC Chamber priority items included in the compromise version of the budget include:
    • $151.4 million to increase starting teacher pay by $2,500 to $42,500, and additional funds for certain teacher salary increases.
    • $96.2 million to fund the first phased-in reduction of the individual income tax rate from 6.5% to 6.4%.
    • $93.7 million in technical college scholarships for critical-needs jobs through the SC Workforce Industry Needs Scholarship Program (SCWINS).
    • $500,000 in recurring operational funds for the Be Pro Be Proud program.

Both the House and Senate must now take up and pass the amended version of the budget before it can be sent to Governor Henry McMaster’s desk for his signature or for any line-item vetoes.

Elite Home Care To Host Open House & Business After Hours

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The Florence Chamber invites you to join us for an Open House and Business After Hours hosted by Elite Home Care.  Come out on Wednesday, June 28th from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. located at 2120 Enterprise Drive for great food catered by Victors, drinks and networking.  Be sure to bring lots of business cards! RSVP by calling the Chamber at (843) 665-0515 or by clicking here to register online.

City Of Florence Invites You To Participate In A Communication Survey

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The City of Florence wishes to improve communications with residents and utility users throughout the community.  Surveys will be accepted thru July 28th.

To begin the survey, click here.

Carolina Properties Holds Ribbon Cutting

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Scott and Amanda Earp – Owners of Carolina Properties Group cut the ceremonial ribbon joining the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, June 8th. Scott is surrounded by his team members, family, and the Chamber Ambassadors.

Carolina Properties Group is a veteran-owned, premier real estate agency specializing in residential and commercial properties throughout the Carolina region. With a dedicated team of experienced professionals, they offer a wide range of services, including property sales, rentals, property management, and investment opportunities.

The ribbon cutting ceremony served as a significant milestone for Carolina Properties Group, representing their commitment to providing exceptional real estate solutions to the community. This event also provided an opportunity for attendees to meet the team, tour the office, and learn more about the company’s vision, values, and the services they offer.

To read the full story, click here.

Bee City Takeover at City Center Farmer’s Market

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As part of National Pollinators Week this year (June 19th-25th), the City of Florence will be hosting a Bee City Takeover at the City Center Farmers Market on Saturday, June 24th, 2023. The public is invited to stop by the market to learn more about protecting pollinators, participate in an eco-friendly craft, speak with local beekeepers, and shop from vendors. The whole family is sure to have an un-bee-lievable time!

For more information, click here.

Florence Regional Airport Begins Hangar Construction

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The Pee Dee Regional Airport will have 10 additional hangars by the end of the year and begin its rehabilitation of the taxiway this fall.

The additions are part of various expansion efforts. The airport hired an Air Service Consultant in 2021 to pursue relationships with other commercial airlines, as well as hire more staff and use larger American Airline jets. The taxiway rehabilitation will be funded through a grant.

The airport has two commercial flights with American Airlines to Charlotte. It is also home to Precision Air Inc., which manages private and non-American Airline flights while also storing and maintaining planes.

To read the full story, click here.

AESC US Holds Groundbreaking For New Electric Car Battery Plant

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Wednesday’s AESC US groundbreaking for a new electric car battery plant in Florence will likely be followed by other such events related to automobile and battery production, or even not related to electric car and battery production.

An industry that locates a plant such as the $810 million battery plant and the 1,170 jobs that will come with it draws the attention of other manufacturers looking for prime locations for their plants.

“In the future I’d say half a dozen to a dozen,” said Florence City Councilman Bryan Braddock of future economic development announcements.

The plant will ultimately sit on about 500 acres of a 900 acre site that will stretch from Estate Road east to S.C. 327.

To read the full story, click here.