WFXB Presents Small Business Stories
MiLadies 182 is a featured Mom & Pop Shop in WFXB’s Small Business Stories. Stay tuned for more!
To view their video, click here.
Two Florence 1 Schools, Carver & Moore, Represented in Palmetto’s Finest Program
Two Florence Schools (Carver Magnet Elementary and John W. Moore Middle) were among ten schools in South Carolina named as finalists in the Palmetto’s Finest Awards Program.
The selection process includes a comprehensive review of a school’s program, focusing on the key question: “What impact is this school making on the lives of students and the community, and is it deserving of the Palmetto’s Finest Award?”
The Palmetto’s Finest award was announced remotely from SC ETV this week. Faculty, staff and students from both Carver Magnet School and John W. Moore Middle School watched the announcement from their schools via live streaming.
To read the full story, click here.
FMU School of Business Honors Freeman With Alumni Award
Francis Marion University’s School of Business honored North Augusta businessman Tracy Freeman with the 2023 Morgan B. Coker Outstanding Alumni award at its annual alumni reception held at the FMU Performing Arts Center on Tuesday night.
Freeman, a 1992 graduate of FMU with a Bachelor of Science in economics, is president of Fidelity One Construction, a residential construction company in North Augusta, and is the manager of Freeman Septic Tank Inc.
Since 2010, Freeman has been a member of the FMU Board of Trustees. He is also active in his community, where he currently serves as chairman of the Edgefield County Fire Board and sits on the County Line Fire Department Board. He has also served on the Aiken County Home Builders Association, Wells Fargo Community Board, Edgefield Senior Citizen Center board, Edgefield County Planning and Zoning Board, and the Francis Marion Alumni Advisory Board.
To read the full story, click here.
ChamberLink Radio Speaks With Junior Leadership Florence Represenatives
Fredricka Pressley with Florence County 4-H Youth Development and Elizabeth Messier, Marketing Director at the Florence Chamber, talked about the Junior Leadership Florence County Program this past Sunday on ChamberLink Radio. Catch ChamberLink Radio each Sunday from 12:00-12:30pm on LIVE 95.3FM in Florence, SC.
Junior Leadership Florence County is modeled after the Florence Chamber’s Leadership Florence program, and is designed for public and private high school sophomores and juniors. It enables students to be able to develop leadership skills while also increasing their awareness of the community.
The Rock You Love To Remember, Just Better
The Florence Symphony Orchestra on May 25 will perform a classic rock concert featuring selections from the ‘60s ‘70s and ‘80s at FSO Rocks 2023 which will include hits from Queen, Elton John, Chicago, The Rolling Stones, Jefferson Airplane, Moody Blues and more.
Recent American Idol contestant Tripp Taylor will be one of the featured vocalists. “I’m beyond excited to show my hometown how I’ve grown as an artist and to sing with the orchestra that I grew up watching!” Featured singers also include local choral professor Fran Coleman, Florence Little Theater veteran Cole Davis, and vocalist Leigh Montague. In addition, FSO Rocks 2023 will include a 50 piece orchestra and 12 member choir.
Guest artists also include legendary guitarist Andy Timmons. As guitarist for pop-metal band Danger Danger, Timmons toured the world, opening for Kiss and Alice Cooper. He has sold more than a million records worldwide and served as guitarist and music director for Olivia Newton John for 15 years.
For tickets call the FMU Performing Arts Center, 843-661-4444, Monday through Friday, noon-5 p.m. or go to www.fmupac.org. For sponsorship and VIP opportunities please see the FSO website, www.florencesymphony.com.
To read the full story, click here.
WFXB, Chamber Presents Small Business Stories
Consider the Lilies is featured Mom & Pop Shop in WFXB’s Small Business Stories. Stay tuned for more!
To view their video, click here.
Florence Breakfast Rotary Presents Grilling For Happy Feet
Florence Breakfast Rotary presents Grilling for Happy Feet from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 5, at the Florence Center Gate 5.
The menu includes grilled chicken, string beans, corn, roll, and cookie. Plates are $10 with drive-through pick up available or free delivery of eight or more plates. The event is sponsored by Advantage Academy, McCall Farms, and Carolina Fresh Foods.
To order, contact Paige Ard with Assurant at 404-353-9305, Mitchell Lister with Florence Flamingos at 910-624-1688, Matt Anderson with Heritage Digital at 843-615-0034, Melissa Scott with Assurant at 843-409-2324, or Kirby Anderson with Raldex Hospitality at 843-687-8189.
All proceeds go to support community efforts organized by the Florence Breakfast Rotary Club. One of those programs, Happy Feet, allows Rotarians to shop with Boys & Girls Club members for a new pair of shoes for the school year.
Rotary is made up of three parts: the individual clubs, the heart of Rotary; Rotary International; and The Rotary Foundation. Rotary clubs bring together dedicated individuals to exchange ideas, build relationships, and take action. Rotary International supports Rotary clubs worldwide by coordinating global programs, campaigns, and initiatives. The Rotary Foundation uses generous donations to fund projects by Rotarians and our partners in communities around the world. As a nonprofit, all of the Foundation’s funding comes from voluntary contributions made by Rotarians and friends who share our vision of a better world. Together, Rotary clubs, Rotary International, and The Rotary Foundation work to make lasting improvements in our communities and around the world.
The Florence Breakfast Rotary Club meets at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesdays at Florence Country Club, 450 Country Club Blvd., Florence. For more information, check out their Facebook or shoot them an email.
Small Business Development Center Hosts Resilience and Resurgence Tour
The SC Small Business Development Center contracted with Dr. Joey Von Nessen to conduct a statewide survey of small businesses to identify the ongoing impact of COVID-19 including current and emerging challenges they face. Not only long-term impact of shutdowns and loss of clients, but also supply chain disruptions, difficulties hiring and retaining employees, inflation and other factors are hurting their revenues and resiliency to stay afloat.
The study explains the largest concerns of business owners and what assistance they need to sustain and grow their enterprises.
This in-person session will be held on Tuesday, April 4 from 8:30 – 10:00 AM at Florence Darlington Tech’s Health Science Building (320 W Cheves St. Room 168). The fee to attend is $10 per person. This session will describe the results, share the key needs of small and mid-sized businesses and the hear directly from business owners on how we can help them overcome these challenges and succeed.
To register, click here.
Jarrod Tippins Named As The 2023 Small Business Person Of The Year
Jarrod Tippins, founder of The Pharmacy on Hoffmeyer Road, was named the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce Small Business Person of the Year on Wednesday, March 22nd.
The president and CEO of Dedicated Community Bank, Jim Ivey, announced the award at the Chamber of Commerce Outlook Luncheon, which took place at the Florence Center. He said the Lake City native not only operates an essential business, one that became even more important and busy during the COVID-19 pandemic, but also supports the community in a number of ways.
“He’s done a lot with that business, The Pharmacy, that he started, and is just an overall superb community supporter in all kinds of corners,” said Michael Miller, president of the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce. “Whether it’s education or anything else, somehow, some way he is involved in it.”
According to Ivey’s introduction, Tippins serves on a number of boards throughout the county, such as the McLeod Health Foundation Board of Trustees, the Florence County Disabilities Foundation Board of Directors and the Lake City Community Theater Board of Directors, among others.
To read the full story, click here.
Michael Hemingway Announced As The 2023 Public Servant Of The Year
Michael Hemingway, City of Florence Economic Development and Utility Planning Director, was named the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce Public Servant of the Year at a luncheon on Wednesday.
Francis Marion University President Fred Carter announced the award at the Chamber of Commerce Outlook Luncheon, which took place at the Florence Center. He said that although Hemingway is vital to the health of the city, he maintains a humble and sensible mentality.
Current and former mayors and council members describe him as being an initiative problem solver with a strong understanding of what’s right and what’s wrong,” Carter said. “He is, pure and simple, one of the major reasons this community works as well as it does.”
Hemingway, who has worked at the city of Florence for over 20 years, quickly spread the accomplishment to those who work for him. After the luncheon, he said he would never have been recognized if not for his co-workers.
To read the full story, click here.
