Recruiting Industries, Park Upgrades Top Florence County’s 2024 To-Do List

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Florence County will continue to focus on economic development and growth in 2024.

County officials will move forward with road construction, stormwater and water projects related to the AESC battery plant, which is under construction in Florence County, County Administrator Kevin Yokim said.

Florence County will start the road building project from East Palmetto Street to the factory in 2024, Yokim said.

County Council approved a $5 million economic development grant to offset infrastructure costs for AESC at its Dec. 14 meeting.

Carter Lumber, a leading building materials supplier, announced in March a plan to expand its South Carolina operations by building a 120,000-square-foot facility in Johnsonville.

The $26 million investment is expected to create 80 jobs. The facility will manufacture roof and floor trusses and hanging interior door units. It also will serve as a millwork warehouse.

The facility will be located at 305 W. Myrtle Beach Highway in Johnsonville.

To read the full story, click here.

Sweet Feet Diabetic Center Featured On ChamberLink Radio

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Dr. Hilary Dolford, owner of Sweet Feet Diabetic Center, was the Chamber’s guest on ChamberLink Radio this past New Year’s weekend.

You can catch the conversation with Dr. Dolford this Sunday, December 31st, from 12:00-12:30pm on LIVE 95.3FM in Florence, SC.

This program is brought to you by the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce and The UPS Stores.

Blue Carpet Affair: Masquerade Ball Set For January 20

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Join the Xi Iota Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. for food, fellowship and dancing at the Blue Carpet Affair: Masquerade Ball. The event will be held on Saturday, January 20th at The Skye on 210 E Main Street in Bennettsville, SC.

For more information, click here.

Young Professionals Of Florence Host Christmas At Cru

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Young Professionals of Florence had the best time at their Christmas event on Thursday, December 21st from 5:30 – 7:30 PM at Cru Wine & Tap! While they got together, they also took up donations for Lighthouse Ministries.

To view photos from the event, click here.

Magic City Ques, Inc. Holds Ribbon Cutting

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Members of the Chi Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. along with Chamber Ambassadors cut their ribbon, on Wednesday, December 20th, thus joining the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

The fraternity was founded on November 17, 1911, at Howard University. Omega Psi Phi’s stated purpose has been “to attract and build a strong and effective force of Handsome men dedicated to its Cardinal Principles of manhood, scholarship, perseverance, and “uplift”. Throughout the world, many notable members are recognized as leaders in the arts, academics, athletics, entertainment, business, civil rights, education, government, and science fields.

With “Uplift ” being one of their cardinal guiding principles, the Chi Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. through its partnership with their supporting foundation “Magic City Ques Foundation” work all year to give back through their scholarship fund, winter coat giveaway, school book bag and school supplies giveaway as well as other community programs and initiatives such as delivering prepared Thanksgiving dinners to several families in around the Florence area. It is through the generosity from local businesses, community organizations and community members they can put smiles on the faces of area children and families.

To read the full story, click here.

Florence Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet & Social Set For January 6

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On January 6, the Florence Center will be celebrating excellence as a new class is inducted into the Florence Athletic Hall of Fame.

Join them for a social at 5:00 PM, followed by the prestigious banquet at 6:00 PM. Let’s honor greatness together!

St. Anthony’s Catholic School Featured On ChamberLink Radio

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Kristine Galemmo, Principal at St. Anthony’s School in Florence, was on ChamberLink Radio on December 24th to discuss efforts the school’s mission which is rooted by four pillars – Faith, Family, Knowledge, and Service. St. Anthony offers a Christ-centered learning environment with 11 full time homeroom teachers in grades 3K-8th.

You can catch the conversations on ChamberLink Radio each Sunday from 12:00-12:30pm on LIVE 95.3FM in Florence, SC.

ChamberLink Radio is brought to you by the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce and The UPS Stores.

S.C. Labor Market Update

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According to data released last week from the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (SCDEW), South Carolina’s workforce continues to show growth. The number of individuals working increased by 5,000 from October 2023 levels, bringing the total number of South Carolinians employed up to 2,398,350. This marks a 104,000-person increase over November 2022 levels. Additionally, the state’s labor force, people working plus unemployed people looking for work, grew by 6,609 people from October 2023 levels while the labor force participation rate held steady at 57 percent.

According to SCDEW’s Executive Director William Floyd, while the state unemployment rate experienced a slight increase from 2.9 to 3.0 percent in November, on a month-to-month basis, people are continuing to join the workforce as pay rates have remained competitive with an average hourly wage of $30.48.

Leadership Florence Particpates In “Ride A Mile” Program

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On Tuesday, December 12th, the Florence Chamber’s Leadership Florence class held their Ride A Mile day session.

The Ride A Mile program is a simulated society experience in which participants face real-time life scenarios by those at various economic levels.

A thank you to all partners in the program: Pee Dee Regional Transportation Authority, Florence 1 Schools, Lighthouse Ministries, Mercy Medicine, and Francis Marion University.

To view photos from the day, click here.

Efforts Underway To Increase Ridership At Florence Regional Airport

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On December 12th, The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce organized a luncheon with area business & industry leaders to discuss the Florence Regional and American Airlines flight schedules.

Part of the discussion included ways to improve commercial ridership from area businesses on flights in and out of the FLO airport and how we might improve daily flight frequency to Charlotte Airport (CLT).

Greg Atkins, Airline Consultant & Director at AilevonPacific, addressed the invitation only group of 20-25 business leaders that included representatives from Honda, Assurant, FMU, McLeod, FDTC, CVC, WestRock, GE Healthcare as well as county and state representatives. Mr. Atkins shared airport and flight statistics showing that American Airline flights in and out of FLO represent good performance and comparative or better to all other surround commercial airports when connecting in CLT.

Gregg Robinson, CEO of Florence County Economic Development Partnership shared the importance of growing the FLO airport flight schedules for our future economic development needs.

For more information on the airport discussions, please contact Mike Miller at the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.