Haley Signs Roads Bill: News Article

From WMBFnews:

“Governor Nikki Haley signed S.1258 with little fanfare Wednesday.

The governor sent a letter to Senate President Pro Tempore Hugh Leatherman Wednesday announcing her signature of the bill.

Haley stated in her letter she believes the bill “accomplished incremental and incomplete reform, or put a different way, far less than the people of South Carolina both expect and deserve from us.”

The signing of the bill follows more than two years of back-and-forth among state Legislators.

The bill allows for $2.2 billion in borrowing over 10 years for infrastructure, funded with $200 million annually in existing fees and vehicle sales taxes.”

Read the full article by following this link below:

WMBF news article: Haley Signs Roads Bill

 

Inaugural Fellows in Education Class Completes 9-Month Program

A ceremony took place this week for the inaugural class of the Fellows in Education program. The local leaders who made up the effort received commemorative certificates and were recognized for their efforts in completing the 9-month, intensive program focused on a better understanding of issues facing area schools.

The Fellows program was designed to give local leaders a unique, behind-the-scenes look into several schools within Florence School District One.  Over the course of nine months, leaders saw firsthand some of the daily struggles and constraints educators face in the classroom. Leaders heard about seismic shifts in student needs and the additional state and federal requirements now placed on schools, teachers and administrators in Florence District One.

The program is a joint effort between Florence District One, the Florence Chamber and the School Foundation. This year’s class included:

Jill Bramblett, Dr. Fred Carter, Dr. Ben Dillard III, Nicole Echols, Asa Godbold, Rev. Merritt Graves, Joy Knight Higgs, Rev. Anthony Hodge, Joe King, Jean Leatherman, John Kleine, Diana Murphy, Dolly Om, Rev. Calvin Robinson, Jeff Stevens, Kim Turner, Richard Walker, Kyle Baxter, Octavia Williams-Blake, Laura Wukela, Debbie Hyler, Mindy Taylor and Michael Miller.

 Chamber President Michael Miller said of the inaugural class, “This was a very special group of people committed to learning more about our education system here in Florence School District One. Each of us found many new and impressive ways that our teachers and education leaders are working to bring our students to a higher level of learning. It was an exceptional experience.”

The Fellows program took place over the course of nine months. Each month’s program centered on a different educational experience that was unique to the classroom. The Fellows in Education program offered opportunities for community leaders to contribute to the development of better education policies in the communities in which they live and work.

For more information on the Fellows in Education program, please contact:

Debbie Hyler, Executive Director, The School Foundation (843) 662-9996 or dhyler@theschoolfoundation.org

Michael Miller, President, Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce (843) 665-0515 or mmiller@flochamber.com

 

Author and Pastor John Maxwell to Headline CCFM 2016 Conference at Civic Center

john maxwell

The Christian Covenant Fellowship of Ministries ​Conference 2016
Kingdom Reformation III: Sustaining The Shift

Don’t miss a very special guest speaker, author, and pastor – John C. Maxwell

Conference Speakers
Bishop Michael A. Blue
John C. Maxwell
Bishop Paul Morton
Bishop Tudor Bismark
Bishop Melvin Lambert
Bishop Bobby Hilton

Special Guest Psalmists
Casey J
Wendi Wyatt
Travis Greene
Brian Courtney Wilson
Anthony Brown & Group Therapy

Admission is free, but registration is encouraged atwww.CCFMNation.org.
For the CCFM 2016 Conference agenda click here.
For additional information please visit ccfmnation.org or dohcc.com

  • Full Facility
  • Register at ccfmnation.org
    • Jun 22, 2016 7:00 pm
    • Jun 23, 2016 7:00 pm
    • Jun 24, 2016 8:00 am
    • Jun 25, 2016 8:00 am

For more information:

Florence Civic Center Event Listing

Florence City Council Candidates Headed for Runoff Election

(Gibson-Hye Moore image courtesy: SCnow.com, NeSmith image courtesy: NeSmith campaign)

A runoff election will take place for the vacant spot on Florence City Council. Florence School District 1 Board Member Pat Gibson-Hye Moore and Florence County Democratic Chairwoman LaShonda NeSmith will face off on June 21 to decide who will take the Florence City Council District 2 spot — a seat held for nearly 25 years by the late Ed Robinson.

Neither candidate was able to get a true majority in the primary, which means a runoff election is required.

You can read the full details in this story from the Morning News by clicking on the link below:

SCnow.com web article- Runoff Election to Take Place for Florence City Council Seat

Chamber Holds Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Kona Ice

           

The Florence Chamber was happy to help officially welcome Kona Ice with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday morning! Serving tropical shaved ice from the most unique entertainment vehicle you’ll ever see, Kona Ice and it’s owner Danny Davis, recently joined the Chamber family.

Who knew an ice cream truck could be so fun? The one-of-a-kind shaved ice truck will brings the party to you and gives kids and adults alike, the opportunity to create their very own shaved ice masterpieces.

Kona Ice provides services for corporate events, school functions, charity events, athletic events, festivals, VBS, weddings or daycares! The company also provides a birthday party package starting as low as $125.

For more information, visit:
http://kona-ice.com/, email: florence@kona-ice.com or call: (843) 260-1462.

To view the entire album from the ribbon cutting ceremony visit:

Facebook Album: Kona Ice Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

SC Chamber End of Year Summary: 2016 Legislative Session

Which business-related issues survived the 2016 Legislative Session and which ones didn’t quite make the cut?

From SC Chamber of Commerce President Ted Pitts:

“Each year, the Chamber releases a Competitiveness Agenda indicating the things the business community believes are critical to improving our state’s business climate. Two of our most pressing issues this year were DOT reform and funding to improve our infrastructure and passage of H.4145 and a budget line item for Certified Workready Communities to bolster our state’s workforce. As session comes to an end, we are pleased to see that the General Assembly recognized the concerns of the business community by addressing both our roads and our workforce needs.”

Click on the link below to see the SC Chamber’s End of Year Summary and find out where the important issues stand that directly impact business owners like you.

SC Chamber End of Year Summary

Young Professionals of Florence Form Partnership with Chamber

    

(images courtesy: Joe Perry/ Morning News)

Thanks to everyone who joined us last evening for the big announcement from the Young Professionals of Florence group!

YP and the Chamber have now formed a partnership and will be working together on future projects geared toward the Pee Dee’s future leaders.

“Two solid organizations working together almost always deliver better performance. In this case, the programs the Young Professional of Florence provide will be enhanced with support and help from the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce,” Chamber President Mike Miller said. “The Chamber brings marketing, promotional and expanded administrative support and YP offers young and fresh ideas to support Chamber programs. We like the partnership,” Miller continued.

The first joint program between YP and the Chamber will take place on July 20th at the Florence County Library. It will feature a Lunch & Learn program with Willcox, Buyck and Williams, P.A. explaining the new Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA,) which will take effect on December 1, 2016. It’s critical that small and medium size businesses understand the new ruling.

Stay tuned for more information on this major step forward for both groups and have a look at some of the highlights from last night’s announcement, courtesy of the Morning News:

SCnow.com Media Gallery- YP and Chamber Form Partnership

Pee Dee Summer Camps Offer Options for Area Youth

For those of you parents out there looking for a way to keep the kids occupied during the summer months, here’s a list of some summer camps in the Pee Dee, courtesy of the Morning News!

Included in the list you’ll find everything from camps that focus on science, to those that cater to little swimmers at the “Y” to summer camps at Francis Marion University.

Just click on the link below for more details, websites and further information:

SCnow.com web article- Pee Dee Summer Camps

Young Professionals Event at Florence Chamber Thursday Evening

Don’t forget to join us this evening for a very special announcement from the Young Professionals of Florence!

The group will be holding its June Social this evening from 5:30-7 pm at the Chamber offices at 100 W. Evans St.

You can get more details by following the link below. We’d love to see you there!

Young Professionals of Florence/ Florence Chamber Event FB Page

Take Part in the Brand Identity Process for the City of Florence!

Here’s a way that you can take part in an exciting time in the history of Florence! The City of Florence is developing a new brand identity for your community and your input is extremely important.

Click on the link below to go to an online survey that will only take a few minutes. You’ll be asked to review several statements about Florence, rate those statements, provide input and then select one of the statements as your favorite.

Thank You for Participating!

City of Florence Branding Survey