News & Events
2022 Annual Membership Meeting
Please join us for our 2022 Annual Membership Meeting at Mount Athos Restaurant as we host a distinguished panel of local business owners. Harold Christ from the Windmill Winery, Peter Koulouris from Mount Athos, Cindy Sills from Belva’s Real Estate, and Michael Baca from Casa De Baca. We will discuss tips and tools for making […]
Lunch & Learn Registration
Join us as the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce brings subject experts to Florence for our monthly 2021 Lunch and Learn series. These lunches will be well worth your time as we look to address subjects that can be useful to all of our member businesses.
We are now a Certified Autism Center™
Our organization has partnered with The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), a global leader in online training and certification programs, to be designated as a Certified Autism Center™ (CAC). Our staff has received specialized training to ensure they have the requisite knowledge, skills, temperament, and expertise to cater to all guests. […]
2021 Business and Community Awards
So COVID messed with our Community Awards in 2021 but that did not stop us from having some fun while still awarding those amazing winners! Thank you to all the businesses and people in Historic Florence that make our Town special. Without further ado, the 2021 Business and Community Excellence awards winners… Thank you to […]
Florence making National News!
I hope that all of our members have caught at least one of the news stories in the past couple weeks regarding one of our newest businesses Old West Homebrew Saloon! An autistic teenager and his mother reached out on Social Media after having a tough time dealing with the COVID shutdown and it was […]
Big news from the State this week
Governor’s Executive Order The latest Executive Order announced several updates to the state’s COVID-19 measures. The state has seen: 10 weeks of declining cases Hospitalizations at the lowest levels since October 2020 Opening of vaccine appointments to all Arizonans of all age groups Mass distribution of the vaccine Under the changes it was announced […]
Florence Chamber Hosting Town Council Candidates in Virtual Forum
The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce invites residents of Florence to watch a virtual forum featuring candidates for mayor and town council on Wednesday, Oct. 7th at 6 PM. The event will be broadcast live on the Chamber’s Facebook page (@gfcoc), and immediately afterwards it will be viewable on the Chamber website. The forum will […]
USDA to distribute food boxes in San Tan Valley
SAN TAN VALLEY — As the result of restaurants and schools being closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, many food growers were having to destroy products of all kinds, including eggs, meat, fruits, vegetables and dairy products. This resulted in the federal government allocating $3 billion for a program to utilize these products and help […]
Candidate Forums
The Town of Florence is in the middle of a very important election cycle. There are many candidate running for Mayor and the three open Council Seats. Did you miss the first Candidate Forums? To replay the Mayoral Candidate Forum Watch Here
Ask the Candidates FORUMS!
With packed Town Council and mayoral races underway, the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce hosted two on-line candidate forum2, beginning at 6 pm on June 3rd (Mayoral) and June 4th (Town Council) and then continuing on June 24th (Town Council) and June 30th (Mayoral). Both events took place via webcast and streamed live on the […]
“Stay Home, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected,”
The Governor’s order is titled “Stay Home, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected,” and unique to Arizona, includes a strong focus on mental health. The order encourages Arizonans to participate in outdoor activities, as long as they are accompanied by social distancing measures. Additionally, it stresses the need for “social connectedness” — a concern of public health […]
Did you have to cancel your fundraiser due to COVID-19?
Many nonprofits are scrambling for ways to take their fundraiser online right now and replace lost revenue We understand the financial strain cancelled fundraisers has put on our Arizona nonprofit sector, and we have aligned our collective resources to provide an option to you. But you have to act today! The Alliance has a solution […]
Facebook Small Business Grants Program
We know that your business may be experiencing disruptions resulting from the global outbreak of COVID-19. We’ve heard that a little financial support can go a long way, so we are offering $100M in cash grants and ad credits to help during this challenging time. Facebook is offering $100M in cash grants and ad credits […]
Managing Employment and Other Business Needs During a Pandemic webinar
Thank you to the Mesa Chamber of Commerce https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdhTwRBIyps&feature=youtu.be
Governor Ducey defines Essential Services.
https://azgovernor.gov/governor/news/2020/03/governor-ducey-issues-executive-order-detailing-essential-services?fbclid=IwAR2uVdqtxXuKlostLgLcq4AHKGbJB7P4j_E7ATsQkAhA43seR-6Adu05Vfs
ATTENTION SMALL BUSINESSES!
Until today, small businesses in Pinal County had been excluded from the recently-announced small business loan program announced by the President. Today, Governor Ducey announced that his office had secured inclusion of Pinal County (and Maricopa and Pima Counties) in the eligibility requirements for these specialized loans. Please see here for further information:https://azgovernor.gov/…/small-business-administration-appr… This link […]
Small Business Administration Approves Loans For Arizona Businesses Affected By COVID-19
PHOENIX — Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approved an Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration for Arizona that will help small businesses here in the state impacted by COVID-19. Individual businesses can be eligible for up to $2 million through the program. On Monday, March 16, 2020, Governor Ducey submitted a request to the […]
COVID-19 Update
The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce acknowledges concerns regarding the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and its potential impacts on Arizona employers, non-profits, and service providers. The situation regarding COVID-19 is changing daily and we will continue to closely monitor communications from Governor Ducey, CDC and other health authorities in the region and provide organizational […]
January First Thursday a big success!
Thank you all that attended the first 2020 ‘First Thursdays’ mixer last night at LB Cantina! Lots of connections were made, some wonderful food was eaten, and some great friendships were made
The Economy is Ours To Own
Kimber Lanning, a TEDxTucson talk. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_olE-BvrGcOur own spending habits create opportunities for everyone to have jobs. Or not. Kimber is the fiercest advocate for locally owned businesses, which not only …
Arizona@Work
ARIZONA at WORK partners with employers to meet their workforce needs. With locally based services, they have the network to connect people and jobs. By helping businesses succeed and grow, they lay the groundwork for a stronger Arizona economy. And by sharing the solutions you need to find the right employees—right here, right now—they are committed […]
North/South Corridor Updates
The proposed North-South Corridor spans about 55 miles between U.S. 60 in Apache Junction and I-10 in Eloy, passing through the city of Coolidge, town of Florence and portions of unincorporated Pinal County along the way. Environmental impact studies are currently underway. As updates to this all important roadway becomes available, they will be posted […]
Digital Business and rural communities
Digital business is the creation of new value chains and business opportunities that traditional businesses cannot offer and represent one of the most dynamic growth aspects of most major economies. How much is Digital business key to rural community businesses surviving? https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/12/ranking-countries-by-ease-of-doing-digital-business/
Absentee Landlords
There are many Cities and Towns dealing with properties owned by out-of-state property speculators (absentee landlords) that have purchased commercial buildings and have left them vacant for years and not invested in repairs or redevelopment. Towns like Florence are constantly doing battle with the owners over upkeep of the commercial building exteriors, paint, broken windows, […]
Fixing up the Town
Commercial property owners can have half the cost of improving their facades covered up to $7,000, and half of a new sprinkler system paid for up to $15,000, by grants from the town’s new Redevelopment Area Improvement Program https://www.pinalcentral.com/florence_reminder_blade_tribune/news/florence-offering-business-owners-grants-for-facades-sprinklers/article_1d8164d6-d642-5019-a02c-ebc3b74c3b20.html?fbclid=IwAR19tHILPyEGvzhPNdHoLC4zqmpayApcB1tp5WlajGllvO-uAZ84QSoL8pM
Inaugural Business & Community Excellence Awards Criteria
The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce is hosting the Inaugural Business & Community Excellence Awards on January 31, 2020! The best businesses and citizens of greater Florence will be honored that evening. Below are the criteria and descriptions for the awards. We hope to see you there! The chamber awards committee will nominate three to [...]
New Chamber Chapter
Dear Valued Chamber Members: Larry Johnson, our Executive Director, has informed us that he’s moving on to a new and exciting chapter in his career. We are grateful for the leadership he has provided to the Greater Florence Chamber, and we wish him success with his new endeavor. We have reached many milestones under his […]
How It All Began
Founded in 1866, Florence is the 6th oldest non-Native American settlement in Arizona. With its location just south of the Gila River, early citizens re-dug the abandoned prehistoric canals of the ancient Sonoran Desert People and used them to irrigate their fields. That, combined with its situation on fertile flood plains, established Florence as an […]
Things to Do in Florence, Arizona
Feb. — Annual Florence Historic Home Tour — Experience history at a fun-filled perennial favorite Feb. — Annual Classics & Customs Car & Bike Show — Old rides, fancy rides: See it all at this event April — Historic Florence Arts and Culture Festival — A two of Arts and Culture takes the stage on […]
2019 Florence Spring Car Show
The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce our 2nd Annual Classics & Customs Car & Motorcycle Show on Saturday, February 16, 2019. The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce is an organization dedicated to promoting business and helping professional people partner with government and community leaders. We are the economic and community development […]
February In the Mix and Ribbon Cutting-Kari Bradley and Associates
Join us for the next “In the Mix”!
