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The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce has selected the winner of a $250 cash prize in its 2021 photo contest. The contest was conducted from August 15 to October 15. A panel of Chamber members reviewed the entries.   The Chamber was looking for the best photos of the fun, frolic, and distinctive scenery from Oregon’s Coastal Playground—an area up to 25 miles in any direction of Florence. More than 100 photos were entered.   Brittany Buhler of Harrisburg entered the winning photo, taken on Heceta Beach during a girlfriend getaway to celebrate a friend’s upcoming wedding.   “We rented a beach house, went out for chowder, then went to the beach to build sandcastles. It wasn’t a typical bachelorette party, but it was what we wanted to do for our friend,” said Buhler.   Buhler used her iPhone SE set at f\2.2, ISO 25, and 12 mpx with no […]

Dear community members. As the Chamber continues to be the Catalyst for business, Convener of leaders and influencers and Champion for a thriving community, we want to hear from you. We know that our community is seriously challenged with short staff, workforce housing and childcare. These are all issues that are on our radar and that we’re working with fellow stakeholders to bring what resources and information we can to the Florence Area. This survey’s purpose is to hear directly from all facets of our community so we can best align our efforts to truly pursue a thriving community. Your help is greatly appreciated. Please be honest and constructive in your responses. We will draw four winners from the surveys submitted and they’ll win a $50 Visa gift card. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts and time with us. SURVEY HERE

Artwork from the Florence Regional Arts Alliance (FRAA) is featured in the Florence Chamber of Commerce Visitor’s Center lobby, 290 Highway 101, through the end of September.   “We love the diversity of art provided this month by the Florence Regional Arts Alliance,” says the Chamber’s executive director Bettina Hannigan. “FRAA has become such an essential and dynamic part of the community and their efforts to advance tourism through the promotion of the arts is a tremendous compliment to the Chamber’s work in the region.”   FRAA chose the theme of “Community—Coming Together” for their exhibit, with artwork reflective of Florence’s diverse coastal life. Artists with work on display include, Kristin Anderson, fused glass; Stella Ault, watercolor; Pat Briggs, watercolor; Debi Ford, ceramics; Jack Hibbs, woodworking; Alan B. Huck, painting; Christine Hodges Huck, watercolor; Claudia Ignatieff, oil painting; John Leasure, oil painting; Tom Lederle, ceramics; Carol Lorraine, acrylic painting; Donna […]

The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce held its prestigious Siuslaw Awards: Phoenix Rising event Thursday night at Three Rivers Casino Resort and presented awards to nine businesses, two individuals, and an entire industry.   The awards celebrate excellence during 2020 in the local business community.   “This year’s slate was an amazing representation of our community’s best assets, our businesses, and individuals who made a difference,” said Chamber president/CEO Bettina Hannigan. “We recognized and celebrated those who inspired us during the past 18 months.”   “All who attended heard the stories of those businesses, nonprofits, civic groups, and individuals who not only survived but thrived through hard work, creativity, collaboration, and compassion. There were inspiring tales of businesses helping businesses, churches helping churches, and nonprofit organizations working together to see the Florence area through all we faced during the height of the pandemic,” she added.   The event was attended […]