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“We’re proud to be partnering with the Chamber for this event,” Edwards said. “They’ve done a great job and we’re really excited for everyone to see the renovations that have been done and, hopefully, welcome guests to come stay with us.”

Guests were treated to the musical stylings of SideSwiped and checked out the newly updated facility.

Edwards said the entire hotel was renovated, including the lobby, meeting room and guest rooms. The facility added new furniture, fixtures, flooring and many other features to revamp its overall look.

Edwards attributed the renewal of the hotel, in part, to the growth of the Florence community and the need for more hotels in the area.

“I think Florence in general is growing,” Edwards said. “We’re seeing great success with many organizations in the community with more businesses coming in and that’s helping us as a result. I’m from Florence originally, so it’s very exciting to see.”

Edwards said the Florence Chamber has been a great partnership for Raines Hospitality, which is a local business that oversees the Residence Inn, Springhill Suites and several other hotels around the area and state.

“The Chamber is a huge partner for us,” Edwards said. “They’re very supportive of everything going on in the community and they do an excellent job. We love partnering with them and they’re absolutely amazing.”

Edwards said the best part about being in the hospitality industry is being able to meet new people from all parts of the world.

“I’m such a people person,” Edwards said. “I’m a people pleaser and I love being able to get out there and interact with folks from all over.”

“We’re very excited about the new renovations,” Godwin said. “We’re excited we have a building to match our personality. This is going to be a great place to bring life into the world that is both family and baby friendly.”

“We have been anticipating this for more than six months,” Godwin said. “It was a huge undertaking, but one that was well worth it after seeing the final product.”

The staff gave tours for the first time to ambassadors from the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce and other business leaders from around the area.

Godwin said some of the technologies include an all-new automatic lighting system and several safety features to make the birthing process easier on families. The rooms also have more space so that more family members can be involved in the delivery.

“Normally we have the entire family participate in the birth,” Godwin said. “Whatever the mom’s birth plan is, we do whatever we can to incorporate that.”

“It is my opportunity to be used as God would have me be used,” Godwin said. “It’s my calling and it’s my opportunity to give back because God has given me so much. To be able to be part of a family and welcome in a new life is an experience that I can’t even put into words. It never gets old.”

“I can go in and experience a live birth today and I think that I’ll be crying more than the family is,” Godwin said.

Carolinas Hospital will hold a community open house from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 10.

For more information, visit carolinashospital.com.

SCNow Web Article – Carolinas Hospital Women’s Center in Florence celebrates renovations

Mayor Stephen Wukela said the city was excited to open the new complex.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Wukela said. “The soccer community and the community at large is excited. This is a fine facility and it will serve our young people well and generate an enormous amount of economic activity as well.”

Wukela said the soccer complex, located right off I-95 on US-76, is the first of many projects to be completed this year. The city looks to open the brand new Pearl Moore Gym on Barnes Street, and will have about $15 million in assorted investments to use in the parks and recreation system.

“We’ve already seen the impacts of sports tourism here in Florence,” Wukela said. “What we’ve found is that we can build facilities that are of higher quality, funded by partners like the Drs. Bruce & Lee Foundation and the massive amount of money that comes from the hospitality tax, coming from those that stay in our hotels. Through that, you see economic development. As you see hotels and restaurants begin to pop up here, you’re going to continue to see growth.”

The Drs. Bruce & Lee Foundation donated more than 90 acres of property to the city and contributed another $6 million toward field design and construction. The foundation is also providing additional funding, pledged at $1.5 million, for construction and design of a Soccer Center that will soon be built on the site.

“We hope that this property will not just be a great soccer complex, but that it will develop,” said Edward Floyd, board member of the Drs. Bruce & Lee Foundation. “There are many other things in the works out here. Florence is doing great and we have a great community filled with excellent leaders.”

The South Carolina Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department provided a $50,000 grant to assist with project construction. The city contributed to the project with $395,000 for water, sewer and storm water utilities and has also budgeted for staffing and materials for ongoing expenses.

Florence County helped the city by funding the relocation of a portion of Twin Church Road for the installation of a new entrance road to the complex through the proceeds from a countywide penny capital sales tax at $1,040,000.

“This is a wonderful project,” Florence County Councilman Willard Dorriety said. “Soccer has now surpassed baseball as the No. 1 played youth sport in the United States. The economic development that this can bring to this area and transform this intersection is important. We all need to continue to work together for the betterment of our community.”

The Florence Soccer Complex begins play with the first recreation league games on Saturday.

SCNow Web Article – Florence Soccer Complex opens