The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce publicly launched Partnership Grand Strand last Thursday.

In a release put out by MBACC: “Partnership Grand Strand is a new foundation, 501(c)(3). It is a five-year comprehensive community and economic development strategic initiative of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce designed to accelerate the economic prosperity and enhance the quality of life for all businesses and residents across the region.”

The initiative will run from 2022 to 2026.

The initiative will support partner organizations and communities by providing dedicated staff, increased resources, and funding for new catalytic projects that will strengthen four equal and interconnected pillars of what MBACC believes is needed for area success:

Prosperity – Diversify our economy. Grow small business. PGS intends to lead here.
Talent – attract, develop and retain area talent. PGS intends to convene here. To convene is to assemble or bring together the right people in the right rooms at the appropriate times.
Place – Support revitalizing downtown and the Oceanfront. PGS intends to support here.
Infrastructure – Scale up our transportation infrastructure. PGS intends to advocate here.

Who Funds Partnership Grand Strand?

The goal of Partnership Grand Strand is to raise $3 million in donations from the hotel, restaurant, retail, and private sector. To date $1.6 million has been raised.

A public (tax payer funding) campaign effort is now launching as well.

Five year pledge levels from $5,000 to $500,000+ include tiered benefits such as:

Leadership and engagement opportunities with leading C.E.O.s and community decision-makers.
Investor-only networking and marketing opportunities.
All investors listed as preferred vendor shared with new and expanding companies.
Initiative implementation opportunities to guide long-term economic growth plans.
Exclusive access to the latest economic development news, wins, projects and trends.

Noticeably absent from the key donor list were: A nheuser Busch Better Brands which is owned by Myrtle Beach Mayor Brenda Bethune. Another large company in Myrtle Beach not on the donor list is Burroughs and Chapin (owns the former land at the Myrtle Beach Pavilion)

The list of key donors were highlighted by Michael T. Benson, Head of Coastal Carolina University and also co-chair of PGS. Clay Brittain III of Brittain Resort Hotels is also a co-chair.