Ribbon Cutting: Family Heritage

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By: Jessica Imbimbo, Morning News

FLORENCE, S.C. – The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday for Family Heritage Life Insurance Company at the Chamber office in downtown Florence.

Family Heritage Life Insurance Company of America is a wholly owned subsidiary of Torchmark Corporation and provides supplemental health and life insurance to its clients.

Family Heritage Life is licensed in 49 states and serves thousands of American families across the nation. It has received numerous awards for outstanding customer service and community outreach.

Gina Gilliard, an insurance agent for Heritage Family Life, had the honor of cutting the ribbon during the ceremony. As a Pee Dee native, Gilliard said she is excited to bring Family Heritage Life into the Florence community.

“It means a lot to join the chamber,” Gilliard said. “It means a lot to work with businesses here in Florence. We’re opening up the doors.”

City of Florence awarded Municipal Association of South Carolina Achievement Award

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The City of Florence has done it again! Let’s all celebrate the fifth consecutive Municipal Association of South Carolina Achievement Award for superior and innovative efforts in local government. Congrats to our city leadership team.

Florence Chamber combines expo with Business After Hours

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By: Jessica Imbimbo, Morning News

FLORENCE, S.C. – More than 50 people attended the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce’s PRISM Expo & Business After Hours event on Thursday evening.

The event was held at Reflection Images at 157 W. Evans St. from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Approximately 15 local companies including SC Works, Edward Jones Investments, ScienceSouth and Coker College set up booths for the event to promote their business and network with other community leaders.

 The PRISM (Promoting the Inclusion of Small and Minority Businesses) Expo doubled as a Business After Hours event for Reflection Images, a professional photography studio in downtown Florence. Les Echols, director of community and minority enterprise for the chamber, said the idea to combine the two events into one was helpful for both the chamber and all of the businesses who participated.

“The expo has been a tradition of ours,” Echols said. “By having it in a more intimate setting the attendance is good and they get to see that the attendance is good. If you had these guys in the civic center it would look like no one is in there.”

Business owners and ambassadors were able to put their companies on display and network with other local business leaders. Echols said events such as these help promote small businesses in the area, which will help Florence keep moving in a positive direction.

“That’s why we keep doing it,” Echols said. “We want local businesses to get as much exposure as possible and that’s the bottom line.”

SCNow Web Article – Florence Chamber combines expo with Business After Hours

New Florence shuttle connects downtown to Civic Center hotels

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By: Joshua Lloyd, Morning News

FLORENCE, S.C. – Two of Florence’s main attraction hubs are now connected via shuttle.

The Pee Dee Regional Transportation Authority announced “Downtown Connect” on Monday morning; a free shuttle that runs between major attractions in downtown Florence and hotels near the Florence Civic Center.

The shuttle service began running with Monday’s announcement. It will operate from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 5:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Fridays.

This shuttle is free and will run non-stop every 30 minute from downtown to eight hotels along Hospitality and Radio Drives.

Charles MacNeil, executive director of the PDRTA, said this service will make it easier for visitors to access Florence’s growing downtown.

“We get to appreciate what Florence has to offer everyday but this is an opportunity to extend our hospitality to visitors,” he said. “We’re working with the hotels to make sure everyone knows all about the service.”

Many of the hotels near the Civic Center operate a high capacity year round due to close proximity to two interstates, as wells chain brand restaurants and shopping centers. Officials said this service will provide those visitors easy access to Florence’s unique downtown.

“There’s certainly no shortage of restaurants in the Hospitality district but they’re all chains,” said Ray Reich, downtown development director. “In downtown we’re all independently owned. A lot of travelers want to see what makes a city unique and this service will give them a chance to visit downtown without ever having to move their car.”

Reich said if the shuttle does well there’s potential to expand service into Saturday night as well.

SCNow Web Article – New Florence shuttle connects downtown to Civic Center hotels

Otis Elevator outgrowing its Florence facility; expansion coming, officials say

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By: Joshua Lloyd, Morning News

FLORENCE, S.C. – With approximately 700 employees and a nearly 500,000-square-foot facility, Otis Elevator in Florence is one of the largest employers in the Pee Dee region and one of the top manufacturers in the state.

Despite an already stellar presence and rapid local growth, Otis officials say more growth is coming for the Florence site.

“We need more manufacturing space, as well as more press equipment and more space for supplier components,” said Brad Selleck, Otis’ North American vice president and manager of the Florence plant. “There’s definitely more expansion coming in the future. We’re working through that now.”

Details weren’t available on what exactly a facility expansion would entail or when it could happen, but Selleck told the Florence Rotary Club on Monday that the Florence plant is moving toward adding escalator production to its repertoire.

“We’re working on a plan to relocate escalator production to the Florence factory,” Selleck said. “We’re looking at numbers on an expansion and what types of skills we’re going to need. We’re still evaluating, so there’s more to come on that.”

An approach that’s helped Otis in Florence become an economic powerhouse, not only locally but internationally, is diversity.

“In Florence we have 16 countries represented and 14 languages spoken in the building,” Selleck said. “It’s different, it’s progressive and it’s a great recruiting tool. You can feel the cultural difference, and that’s key when recruiting the best employees.”

Otis in Florence produces a variety of full elevator systems, including hydraulic and belt-drive models. Many of the materials produced in Florence are energy conserving and compact to minimize the environmental impact.

Approximately five years ago, Otis purchased the old Maytag facility that sits on 92 acres northwest of Interstate 95 at U.S. 52. The initial investment was $40 million with 360 jobs.

SCNow Web Article – Otis Elevator outgrowing its Florence facility; expansion coming, officials say

HopeHealth’s new addition to open for patients July 17

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Credit: Morning News

FLORENCE, S.C. — Phase II of the HopeHealth Medical Plaza in Florence will open its doors to patients July 17.

Moving dates for services to move from the HopeHealth offices on Palmetto Street to the new facilities on North Irby Street are scheduled for July 13, 14, and 15. During the move, there will be no disruption to services in Phase I of the Medical Plaza or for behavioral health services at the Palmetto Street office. Patients needing prompt assistance should call 843-667-9414 and speak to the answering service.

 The second phase of construction adds an additional 40,000-plus square feet to the Medical Plaza including conference rooms and classroom areas for the HopeHealth Diabetes and Nutrition Center, as well as expanded spaces for pediatrics and women’s health services already at the plaza. Services relocating from the Palmetto Street offices include chiropractic services, pain management, infectious diseases, and dental. In addition, CARE House of the Pee Dee, a children’s advocacy center, will relocate from Patton Drive, Florence, to offices adjacent to pediatrics and a new meditation garden.

HopeHealth is one of 21 nonprofit, federally-qualified health centers in South Carolina and provides quality and affordable health care services to individuals in Florence, Clarendon, and Williamsburg Counties.

SCNow Web Article – HopeHealth’s new addition to open for patients July 17

Groundwork begins on Hyatt Place in downtown Florence

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By: Joshua Lloyd, Morning News

FLORENCE, S.C. – Construction on the $15 million, five-story, 103-room Hyatt Place hotel in downtown Florence is finally underway.

The project will take between a year and 16 months to complete, depending on weather conditions. A grand opening is expected sometime in 2018.

“They’re starting to do test driving for the piles and some piling work, but right now they’re at the very beginning of the process,” said Florence City Manager Drew Griffin. “We’re very excited that’s it’s moving along.”

 Griffin said there won’t be any road closings downtown during the hotel’s construction.

The hotel is being developed by SpringBridge Development and will be managed by Raines Hospitality, a locally owned group that manages several hotels throughout Florence.

“One of the conditions we put into play with the Hyatt was that we didn’t want to completely block any of the roads,” Griffin said. “Traffic may go to one lane for a short period of time, but there should never be a total closure.”

The new hotel is expected to create 30 jobs by the time it opens in the first quarter of 2018. It will feature around-the-clock food service, a bar and an outdoor pool as well as 1,250 square feet of meeting space with an outdoor terrace.

The project was announced more than a year ago, though it was known under code name “Project Tulip” months before it was publicly revealed.

SCNow Web Article – Groundwork begins on Hyatt Place in downtown Florence

Business After Hours with Raldex Hospitality

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By: Jessica Imbimbo, Morning News

The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce sponsored a Business After Hours event for Raldex Hospitality on Thursday evening at the Hilton Garden Inn. More than 100 business leaders and community members attended the event, featuring food, drinks, live music and various door prizes including a 50-inch television.

SCNow Web Article – Business After Hours with Raldex Hospitality

Elite Tactical Laser Tag holds ribbon cutting in Florence

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By: Jessica Imbimbo, Morning News

FLORENCE, S.C. – Elite Tactical Laser Tag held a ribbon cutting Thursday afternoon at its facility at 200 E. South Village in Florence.

The laser tag facility is for participants age 6 and older and features laser guns modeled after authentic military-grade weapons (complete with a recoil and reloadable magazines) and a large field space that will immerse players in a full Hollywood-style battlefield.

Each laser tag session is 90 minutes long. Up to 20 players can attempt a number of Elite Tactical’s 23 missions. Each mission requires different strategies and tactics and puts an emphasis on the importance of teamwork. The facility is open Monday through Wednesday for private sessions and Thursday through Sunday for public play.

Elite Tactical Laser Tag can host numerous events from birthday parties and church events to corporate team building activities. General admission for players age 13 and older is $30 and group rates of 10 or more players start at $25 when booked in advance.

Specific mission times for players ages 6-12 are set for Thursdays and Fridays from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Each mission for younger players is 30 minutes long and costs $10. The laser tag facility also offers deals or rates on certain days such as $20 Thursdays and $10 for 30 minutes on Sundays. All sessions starting at 7:30 p.m. and later are for ages 16 and older.

The facility will also play host to the Apocalypse World Tour set for July 14 – 15 when participants have the chance to kill “live zombies” while trapped in a video-game-style set. Tickets for the event include 150 rounds of ammunition and admission into the zombie attraction. Tickets can be purchased through the Elite Tactical Laser Tag website at elitetaclt.com.

Owners Efrem and Matilda Andrews said Elite Tactical Laser Tag opened for business in February and said they are excited about providing a place for friends and families to have fun and be active together.

“It’s Call-of-Duty-style laser tag,” Matilda said. “This will get the kids out and moving because our generation is missing that. It’s excellent cardio.”

“It’s a step above regular laser tag. It’s more interactive,” Efrem said. “Ninety-nine percent of the people that come in here leave extremely happy. They just have an outstanding time.”

“By the time they’re done they are thanking us that we brought this thing to Florence.”

For more information or to make a reservation, visit the Elite Tactical Laser Tag website or Facebook page.

SCNow Web Article – Elite Tactical Laser Tag holds ribbon cutting in Florence

Feds approve permit for construction of Interstate 73

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By: Joshua Lloyd, Morning News

FLORENCE, S.C. – After more than 30 years of planning, studies and negotiations, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has issued a permit for construction of Interstate 73.

The interstate will connect Myrtle Beach to Sault Ste. Marie in northern Michigan, and will run 80 miles in four South Carolina counties — Dillon, Marlboro, Marion and Horry. In total, I-73 will cross six states — South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio and Michigan.

Congressman Tom Rice, a Republican from Myrtle Beach, has made I-73 one of his major talking points since his first election in 2014 and made an official announcement Tuesday afternoon.

“Since I got to Congress, construction of I-73 has been my top priority and this permit is a result of a lot of hard work and collaboration,” he said in a media advisory. “The opportunity that I-73 will bring to the 7th District is truly unparalleled, and now that we have the permit in hand we can begin construction and see this project come to light.”

 Specific timeframes and costs were not given, but officials have said in the past that a project of this magnitude could take a decade or more to complete.

A study completed by the South Carolina Department of Transportation last month indicated costs for the state’s portion of I-73 could be about $2.8 billion if construction starts this year or up to about $3.4 billion if construction is delayed until 2025.

SCNow Web Article – Feds approve permit for construction of Interstate 73