Business Recovery Center (BRC) to open in Florence County

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The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today the opening of a Business Recovery Center (BRC) in Florence County on October 28, to help businesses impacted by Hurricane Matthew that began Oct. 4, 2016.

SBA representatives at the Business Recovery Centers (BRC) in Florence County can provide information about disaster loans, answer questions and help businesses in completing the SBA application. The BRC will be located at the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce, 100 West Evans Street in Florence and will be open the following hours: Monday – Thursday, 8:30 am – 5 pm, Friday, 8:30 am – 3 pm and will be closed Saturdays and Sundays. For more information, call the chamber offices at 843-665-0515.

City of Florence issues debris pickup guidelines

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(article/image courtesy: SCnow.com)

“FLORENCE, S.C. — Hurricane Matthew left significant debris and the City of Florence is beginning the process of cleaning up the storm debris from both public and private property within the city limits.

It is important that residents comply with FEMA and City of Florence guidelines regarding the types of debris that residents can leave at the curb for collection as well as how to handle debris if a homeowner hires a contractor for tree and other debris removal.

“Our City and many of our residents continue to feel the impact of Hurricane Matthew. We understand this is a difficult time for our citizens and businesses in Florence.

 Please know your City is hard at work and will continue to strive to assist in every way we can. Tomorrow we will be announcing the next phase of our clean up and restoration efforts; this will include new information and resources.” Stephen J. Wukela, Mayor

WORKING TOGETHER

The task of cleaning up almost 150,000 cubic yards of storm debris with the city limits is huge and it will take time to complete. As an example, the amount of storm debris is estimated to be equivalent to 4 years of normal yard waste debris collection in the city.

The City of Florence asks that you be patient as we tackle this enormous task using our crews as well as outside contractors. Your cooperation will make this debris removal operation proceed smoothly and ensure that the community recovers as quickly as possible.

You can further assist with the cleanup by refraining from parking on the street during this debris removal process so as not to impede collection.

DEBRIS PLACED ON RIGHT OF WAY

Hurricane related debris is eligible for pickup and disposal by the city if residents place the following types of debris on the public right-of-way in front of their property for pick-up.

When placing debris at the roadside, residents should be careful not to cover or impede access to utility meters or mailboxes. In addition, sidewalks should not be blocked and debris should not be placed in the paved portion of the street right-of-way.

Residents opting for curbside pick-up must separate debris into six (6) categories:

  • Vegetative debris (tree limbs, shrubs, etc.)
  • Construction/Demolition debris
  • White goods (appliances, etc.)
  • E-goods (TV’s, electronics)
  • Household hazardous (cleaning solutions, automotive chemicals, etc.)
  • Normal household garbage

DEBRIS HANDLED BY CONTRACTORS

Some homeowner’s insurance policies may cover debris removal. Residents are reminded that if they choose to hire their own contractor, only debris directly related to Hurricane Matthew may be placed on the street right-of-way for collection and disposal purposes.

To expedite clean-up where insurance policies cover debris removal, it is recommended that the contractor remove and dispose of this debris.

FEMA PARTICIPATION

The City of Florence will be collecting hurricane related debris under the guidelines provided by FEMA. The FEMA regulations restrict the period of time and the number of times that debris pickup can take place in a given area of the city.

Therefore, the city urges all homeowners to move all debris to the designated area in the front of your property, as indicated on the illustration, as quickly as possible to ensure that it is picked up by the city.

We will notify the public at a later date as to when debris removal will end, but we request that you get any storm-generated vegetative debris moved to the edge of right or way as soon as possible.

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

FEMA does not provide funding to local governments for the collection of storm debris from commercial property.

Commercial businesses, apartment complexes, and other commercial enterprises will be required to contract the removal of their reconstruction debris or demolition debris.

The commercial property owner, insurance company or contractor is responsible for removing and transporting all demolition and/or reconstruction debris to an approved designated landfill, it cannot be pushed to the curb for pickup by the city.

If you have questions, please call the City of Florence Public Works & Utilities Department at 843-665-3236 or email Amanda Pope at apope@cityofflorence.com.

Additional information and continued updates can also be found on the city website at www.cityofflorence.com.”

SCNow.com Web Article – City of Florence issues debris pickup guidelines

FEMA aid approved for individuals in Florence, Darlington, Dillon and Williamsburg counties

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(image courtesy: SCnow.com)

“FLORENCE,. S.C. – Individuals who sustained recent storm damage in Florence County and three other Pee Dee counties now are eligible for federal assistance.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, individuals in Darlington, Dillon and Williamsburg counties also can ask for aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, officials in S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley’s office announced Monday night.

Individuals in 11 other counties also qualify for assistance. Those counties are Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Colleton, Dorchester, Georgetown, Hampton, Jasper, Lee and Sumter.

They join Marion and Orangeburg counties, which qualified for individual assistance last week.

Assistance can include money for temporary rental assistance and essential home repairs for primary homes, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help survivors recover from the effects of the disaster.

Survivors can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362. Disaster assistance applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing should call 800-462-7585 (TTY); those who use Video Relay Service can call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days per week until further notice.”

SCNow Web Article – FEMA aid approved for individuals in Florence, Darlington, Dillon and Williamsburg counties

American Pickers are coming to SC

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The American Pickers are coming to SC!

Mike and Frank, are planning on visiting South Carolina this November and December and are look for people throughout the  region that have large, private collections of stuff. These collections can be anything from old vintage cars to sheds filled with large vintage neon signs. Please note the information below to reach out to Mike and Frank if you are interested in possibly being on their nationally televised show.

 

Boeing VP speaks in Florence about company’s plans for growth in state

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(image courtesy: Joe Perry/SCnow.com)

“FLORENCE, S.C. – Boeing loves South Carolina.

That was the message brought Friday to the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce annual membership luncheon by keynote speaker J. Michael Luttig, executive vice president and general counsel of the aerospace giant.

But before Luttig detailed Boeing’s ever-expanding investment in the Palmetto state, he wanted the audience of about 500 at the Florence Civic Center to know how much state Sen. Hugh Leatherman of Florence means to him personally as well to the Boeing Company.

“There is no question that without you, Senator, the Boeing Company would not be in South Carolina,” Luttig said.

He also thanked chamber President Mike Miller and called Florence “one of the very best communities in South Carolina,” hailing downtown’s revitalization and the wide range of small and medium businesses here.

“In so many ways, we’re in this together,” he said. “Boeing is grateful for your friendship and support.””

Click below to read the full article.

SCNow Web Article – Boeing VP speaks in Florence about company’s plans for growth in state

Raines receives Chamber’s Business Person of the Year award presented by Wells Fargo

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(image courtesy: Joe Perry/SCnow.com)

“FLORENCE, S.C. – Grey Raines of Raines Hospitality was named the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year on Friday at the Florence Civic Center during the chamber’s annual membership luncheon.

Rob Sasser of Wells Fargo introduced Raines, calling him “a true product of Florence,” who was born and raised here. During Raines’ formative years, his father, Mark, parlayed the family business from ownership of a single I-95 truck stop into a portfolio including convenience stores and a petroleum distributorship, Sasser said, while holding fast to the idea of owning a Marriott hotel.

After contacting Marriott International, Mark Raines started with a Super 8 motel, Sasser said, and later partnered with Dave Aycock under Raldex Incorporated before going on his own with Raines Hospitality in 1997. The company’s first property was the Marriott Courtyard on Hospitality Boulevard.”

Click below to see the full article.

SCNow.com Web Article – Raines receives chamber’s Business Person of the Year award

Carolina Bank moving to downtown Florence

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(image courtesy: Myflorencetoday.com)

“A South Carolina banking institution with roots deep in the Pee Dee is moving to Florence announced bank officials last week. Carolina Bank will relocate the bank’s headquarters and administrative offices, along with a new retail branch, to downtown Florence to better serve the expanding Florence market. The move, which will take place in the Fall of 2017, is only the first phase of a far-reaching growth plan that also includes modernizing existing branches and introducing new technological products and services.

Carolina Bank will continue to operate its retail branch in Darlington. “This move will allow us to provide more focused service to our customers and potential customers in a growing market. The development downtown is exciting and we are thrilled to be a part of it,” said Rick Beasley, president of Carolina Bank. “However, we remain committed to our customers in Darlington and our other branch locations.

We will continue to serve our communities with the exceptional customer and banking services they have come to expect from us.” Under the expansion plan, Carolina Bank will shift its administrative and training staff, as well as the lending, information technology, and mortgage departments, to a new location at 185 West Evans Street by the Fall of 2017. Though most of the employees will relocate from the current headquarters, up to 20 new positions will also be created.”

Click below to read the entire article from My Florence Today:

MyFlorenceToday.com web article – Carolina Bank moving to downtown Florence