Our Business Calendar

**SC Residential Solar Energy Industry Saved by Public Service Commission**

The SC Public Service Commission today voted 5-0 to turn down a proposal by Dominion Energy to dramatically increase costs for roof-top solar customers.

Dominion had argued that their customers using roof-top solar to generate their own electricity and thus reduce their costs were being subsidized by all other customers.

I personally intervened in the PSC hearing to oppose the draconian proposal that would have dramatically increased costs to solar customers and, as one witness said, would kill the solar industry in South Carolina.

My closing arguments in the hearing stressed that all Dominion ratepayers were not subsidizing the solar customers. In an opinion editorial I further detailed my objection to Dominion’s plan.

Congratulations to the Public Service Commissioners for their unanimous ruling that will propel the growth of residential solar power in our state, just as the legislature intended. Their ruling is also clear evidence that the Comm

**What Is The EIDL**

Up to $500,000

3.75% Interest Rate over 30 years

The EIDL was created by the SBA to help small business meet financial obligations and operating expenses that could have been met had the disaster not occurred.

**Learn About Volunteering at SCORE of The Pee Dee**

SCORE Pee Dee is the new branch of SCORE that provides support to new and existing small businesses in the Pee Dee area. The offices are in the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce at 100 West Evans Street in Downtown Florence. Come to our introductory event to learn more about how you might become a volunteer on Tuesday, May 11, 2021 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. If you have any questions about this event, feel free to contact SCORE at admi.0381@scorevolunteer.org or call our offices at 843-918-1079.

**To Area Festival Vendors – Freedom Fest Applications Due**

The Darlington Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for this year’s Freedom Fest scheduled for June 26, 2021. If you are an area vendor, and want to apply to participate, you can contact the Florence Chamber by email at info@flochamber.com and we will be glad to forward the informative application. For more detailed information on the festival and vendor support, please contact the Darlington Chamber of Commerce directly at Information@darlingtonchamber.com

**Restaurant Revitalization Fund: Prepare to apply**

A Reminder that the American Rescue Plan Act established the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) to provide funding to help restaurants and other eligible businesses keep their doors open. This program will provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location. Recipients are not required to repay the funding as long as funds are used for eligible uses no later than March 11, 2023.

**FMU's Kelley Center to Offer Essential Steps of Business Planning Workshop**

The Kelley Center at Francis Marion University will host a workshop on Wednesday, May 26th from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Business planning is often seen as an overwhelming and time-consuming task. However, it is a critical part to assessing the current and future needs of the business as well as seeking funding. This session will help business owners understand the components of business planning as well as identify the steps to developing an effective business plan.