Area Chamber Directors Speak About Their Role In Economic Development At Summit

By Betsy Finklea
Several area chamber directors spoke about their role in economic development at Congressman Tom Rice’s Coastal and Pee Dee Economic Development Summit at Florence-Darlington Technical College’s SIMT building on Wednesday, February 20.
Mike Miller of the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce was the first to speak. He said hotel rooms in Florence have doubled since 2010. Two more hotels are expected to be finished this year, and two to three more are expected to be completed this year. Numerous restaurants have also popped up. Hospitality accounts for 11 percent of the business in the Florence area. Accommodation tax receipts are up 64 percent
The Florence Center underwent a $16 million expansion, and bookings are up 25 percent. There are nine live entertainment events there during the month of March, and 23 nights of performances in addition to business meetings, weddings, and other events. He said it is not stopping.
Another large portion of their business, approximately 20 percent, is medical services. MUSC will soon add to the quality of their medical services due to their deal with Carolinas Hospital System. Manufacturing has chosen to continue expansion in Florence County.
The Florence downtown area has $210 million in private and public investment with $50 million in investment soon to be announced. He said the success is incredible, and it is just beginning.
One thing the chamber has worked to do is help Florence Regional Airport find ways to improve their airport and to add more airlines.
The chamber is doing partnership programs and working to do their part to help the workforce.
The Florence Chamber hosts 64 programs a year including a spring and fall outlook luncheon. On March 19, 500-600 people are expected to attend the spring outlook luncheon to hear from SC Ports CEO Jim Newsome about Inland Port Dillon.
Karen Riordan, president of the Myrtle Beach Chamber, has been on the job for six months. She represents 2,800 businesses with mostly 10 employees and under.
Tourism is a huge driver of economic development. She said it all starts with education and making sure the workforce has the skills and tools needed to succeed.
They are focusing on short-term strategies to help meet the needs for the hospitality workforce. They have a great relationship with their airport, which showed over 10 percent growth in their deplanements. They are casting a wide net to open up new markets of tourists.
They are continuing to deal with the residual effects of having so many storms in a row. They are trying to spread the message that the beaches look better than ever, and they are open for business.
Cheryl Kilday of the North Myrtle Beach Chamber was the next to speak. She has been on the job for four months. They are trying to spread the message that North Myrtle Beach is not just a great place to visit, but also to live and work.
They are working to expand prosperity. They have been working to provide training, regional programming, and other innovative activities.
The North Myrtle Beach Chamber is doing more programs than ever before. They offer scholarships for books and are working to support and recognize non-profits. They have a Destination Next program.
She noted that people buying vacation homes to live in are decreasing the inventory. They are also working to grow the sports complex.
Michelle Rogers of the Greater Mullins Chamber of Commerce said they partner with local government on various activities. She said they are looking at what their brand and identity is. They serve as an advocate on behalf of their members. They recently re-enacted their Mullins Activation Committee to help revitalize downtown and support business in Mullins and the outlying areas.
They are working on funds to enhance facades, etc. and to “Keep Mullins pretty” and enhance their downtown area.
They hope to incorporate a higher-level marketing incentive. They hope to promote their unique shops, their bed and breakfast, and restaurants.
They created the Marion County Junior Leadership Program to develop future leaders. They partner with local public and private schools. They take classes on Saturdays and participate in chamber events and activities. Their community service project this year was a holiday book drive.
Timothy Griffin, president of the Pageland Chamber of Commerce, was the last to speak. He said their downtown has dried up to less than 15 viable businesses. The former chamber was down to 13 members when it went bankrupt. A group rebuilt the current chamber from the ground up visiting every single business in the area.
They were named to the top 10 of the Small Business Revolution, but did not get it.
They are working with economic development to come up with an incentive and take packages to millennials to hopefully get buildings filled that have been empty 15-20 years.
They are undergoing rebranding. They have joined the S.C. Main Street Program.
He encouraged chambers to work closely with Economic Development.
He said their chamber is currently on all-volunteer program.
Johnnie Luehrs, Executive Director of the Dillon County Chamber, was unable to attend due to the fact that she was at the Governor’s Conference on Tourism and Travel.

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