12th Edition South Carolina Chamber Music Festival

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The Balkan Quartet will be featured in a live recording session of a new piece by FMU faculty Dr. Brandon Goff on February 28th. The next day, they will present the closing concert of this year’s festival, featuring an exciting selection of music from Serbia and the Balkans.

The recital on February 29th will be hosted in a very special venue: the Steven F. Gately Gallery located at 142 N. Dargan Street. A cash bar will be available, and the audience will have the opportunity to also visit the current exhibit. Don’t miss the fantastic event of Art at 360 degrees!

For more information, click here.

Leadership Florence Participates In Education Day Session

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Leadership Florence had its February session (Education Day) on Tuesday, February 13th. The group visited Florence-Darlington Technical College and Francis Marion University.

The class also got to hear from many of the educational institutions in our community. The day included presentations from: TKA, Florence County Adult Education, Trinity Collegiate, Florence One Schools, SCSU 1890 Extension, Palmetto Project, Jr Leadership Florence, Florence Montessori, and the Department of Employment and Workforce.

An additional thank you goes to Florence-Darlington Technical College and Francis Marion University for providing breakfast and lunch for the group.

To see more photos from the day, click here.

Outflare Marketing Holds Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

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Linzie Batchelor, Outflare Marketing, along with family, friends and Chamber Ambassadors cuts her ribbon joining the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

Outflare Marketing is a full-service, creative, contemporary, and affordable marketing agency that specializes in providing marketing services for small businesses. Twelve years ago, owner Linzie Batchelor realized the increasing need for a marketing agency able to provide a way for small businesses to outsource their marketing without sacrificing quality. While working as marketing director for an independent pharmacy for several years, Batchelor noticed many small business owners understood the importance of a clear marketing strategy and execution, but lacked the time to do it themselves, or the budget to hire a professional marketer. As social media platforms rose in popularity, many business owners began scrambling to manage building accounts and posting on their own, hiring inexperienced friends or family members, or ignoring social media completely. Hiring a full-term marketer is cost-prohibitive for many small businesses, and very few experienced marketers are willing to work part-time. Just as a small business can outsource their bookkeeping, Outflare allows business owners to outsource their marketing to a local agency that understands their company, their market, and their budget.

To read the full story, click here.

Green Leaf Café Holds Ribbon Cutting

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Jamel Lyde owner of Green Leaf Café along with friends and the Chamber Ambassadors cuts his ribbon joining the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

The mission of Green Leaf Cafe is to provide a welcoming, eco-friendly dining experience that promotes healthy, sustainable living. They strive to serve delicious, plant-based cuisine made from locally sourced, organic ingredients. Their goal is to create a serene and vibrant environment that fosters community, encourages conscious consumption, and educates about the benefits of a green lifestyle. Green Leaf Cafe aims to prioritize local and organic suppliers to minimize our environmental impact, support local farmers, and provide the freshest ingredients for our dishes.

Green Leaf Café’s goal is to offer a diverse menu that focuses on delicious and nutritious plant-based options. By promoting plant-based eating, they strive to reduce carbon footprint, contribute to the well-being of their customers and the planet to operate with a low environmental impact. We believe in the power of education to inspire change.

To read the full story, click here.

Chamber Participates In 15th Annual World Read Aloud Day

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The Chamber’s Elizabeth Messier joined the students at Delmae Elementary School last week to celebrate the 15th annual World Read Aloud Day. The day promotes literacy and remembering the art of storytelling. Each of these students has a bright future ahead of them thanks to Florence County teachers and a community that cares.

City University Registration Now Open

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Have you ever wondered about the budget planning process, development review process, or various other responsibilities of City government?

If so, then CityU has an educational opportunity for you!

For more information, click here.

Montessori Education Week

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The Montessori School of Florence is thrilled to announce the upcoming Montessori Education Week, taking place from February 26 to March 1, 2024. This week-long celebration highlights the unique educational approach of Montessori and its profound impact on children’s development.

As part of Montessori Education Week, the Montessori School of Florence will be offering guided tours daily at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM. These tours provide an excellent opportunity for parents, educators, and community members to experience the Montessori philosophy in action and witness firsthand the engaging and enriching learning environment our school offers.

In a display of civic engagement and advocacy, the students took initiative by writing letters to City Council and Mayor Teresa Myers Ervin, urging them to proclaim February 26 to March 1 as “Montessori Education Week in Florence, SC.” The sixth-grade students will attend the City Council meeting on February 12th to witness the outcome of their advocacy. Their dedication and commitment to promoting Montessori education within our community are truly commendable.

To read the full press release, click here.

SC Ranked No. 2 In Manufacturing Workforce

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To consistently rank among the top requires top talent. Site Selection Magazine recently recognized South Carolina as tied for the nation’s second-best manufacturing workforce — bolstering the state’s ranking as the top state for manufacturing, according to the same survey.

National site selection professionals share more about what matters most.

To read the full story, click here.

Chamber’s Spring Golf Classic Set For May 2nd

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Join us for a day of golf at the Florence Chamber of Commerce’s Spring Golf Classic at the Traces Golf Club on Thursday, May 2nd.  Lunch begins at 11:00 a.m. and tee off at noon.  Each registered golfer will be entered into a drawing to participate in a $25,000 cash shoot out!

To register online, click here.

Work Started On Interstates 95 & 26 Interchange

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South Carolina has started modernizing the Interstate 95 and Interstate 26 interchange at the Orangeburg County and Dorchester County line.

State and local officials gathered last week on the Whetsell Pond Road overpass to kick off the $240 million project.

Officials estimate the project will be complete in the summer of 2027.

According to SCDOT, traffic is expected to continue while construction is underway. The agency aims to avoid having substantial road closures or detours, however, some temporary lane closings may be required.

To read the full story, click here.