PGS Bulletin

Partnership Grand Strand Bulletin

JANUARY, 2024

Series 2, Issue 1

An Update from Your Director, Peggy Masterson

Please mark your calendars for 2/21/24 (if you haven’t already) for our 2nd PGS Town Hall. This event will be highly interactive and will deliver updates from all the key stakeholders committed to the development of the Grand Strand. You’ll hear from the Myrtle Beach Downtown Alliance, The City of Myrtle Beach Economic Development team, and get updates from the Regional Economic Development team as well.

There will be a true “town hall” format in this meeting. The panel will take questions from the audience at the end of all presentations. This is yet another way that PGS hopes to demonstrate that we are bringing all the strategic parties together to keep you apprised of all the great progress underway in the Grand Strand. Don’t miss it! YOU WILL FIND THE LINK TO REGISTER BELOW. BE SURE TO REGISTER TODAY!

PGS is off to a running start in this new year. We are continuing to execute our Career Readiness program as well as building plans for the next iteration of our Start Something Amazing Healthcare Program with Horry County Schools.

Our plans also include exploring a small business accelerator cohort in partnership with SCORE, South Carolina SBDC, and local business coaches in the area. This developmental experience will assist entrepreneurs (as well as established small businesses) to take their businesses from “zero to 60” in an accelerated fashion.

Our team is working closely with the chamber on all of the approved 2024 legislative priorities. James Toy is busy developing some easy reference tools that will define the issue, state our position and clarify why we are working to support it. Our goal is to provide a simple way for anyone to stay informed regarding all initiatives being discussed in Columbia.

PILLAR UPDATE - PROSPERITY

Mark Shaaber, Entrepreneur Retention Manager

Veterans in Business

On December 7, Partnership Grand Strand met with veteran business owners to socialize and gauge interest in collaborating to support the growth and expansion of small and entrepreneurial business opportunities.

Partnership Grand Strand will continue to engage with Veterans and other small business groups to share perspectives.

PILLAR UPDATE - TALENT

BJ Beaver, Workforce Talent Manager

HCS Career Readiness Update

In October, PGS and Horry County Schools unveiled the Horry County Schools Career Readiness program, aiming to spotlight the wealth of workforce-based learning initiatives within the school district.

The program's objective is to foster strong connections between the business community and students, who represent the future workforce. To date, 20 businesses have had the privilege of touring eight high schools across the district, each school offering a diverse array of career training programs. We received the following feedback from the business participants in the program:

“Blown away with the amount of hands on experience the students receive, as well as the

facilities. It is so well done there, and they have more materials and opportunity before them.

It far exceeded my expectations and what we had in school!”

“The level of prep and variety of courses offered was more than I realized, and I used to work

for the school district.”

“I gained a new perspective and understanding of the programs we offer our students and

how important it is for business to help beyond what the schools are currently doing.

If your business would like to participate in the 2024 HCS Career Readiness Showcase or learn more how your business can get involved with Horry County Schools to build your workforce pipeline, please contact BJ Beaver at BJ.Beaver@partnershipgrandstrand.com

Palmetto Goodwill Hiring Event

Palmetto Goodwill is currently scheduling individual hiring events for February and March at their Career Opportunity Center in Carolina Forest. This is a fantastic opportunity for businesses looking to fill open positions, build their talent pipeline, or increase brand awareness among potential candidates. If you think your business would benefit from this, please contact Timonthy Chestnut at tchestnut@palmettogoodwill.org or by phone at 843-408-3118.

PILLAR UPDATE - PLACE

The MBDA Broadway revitalization plan has begun, and the benches and trashcans that PGS purchased to support the renovation are in place. We look forward to the installation of the artistic crosswalks and the landscaping work that will get underway in the early spring. This marks the beginning of some big changes yet to come!

PILLAR UPDATE - PUBLIC POLICY

James Toy, Public Policy Manager

Tackling the Childcare Crisis:

A Challenge and Opportunity for South Carolina

Forty-two percent of South Carolinians reside in a childcare desert – an area with either no childcare providers or a significant imbalance between the number of children and licensed childcare facilities - according to a Center for American Progress report.

Closer to home, Horry County's childcare situation is even more dire, with the 43.1% of children under five residing in childcare deserts, according to the YMCA of Coastal Carolina.

This lack of access to quality childcare poses a significant challenge for families, forcing them to make difficult decisions about their children's care and potentially affecting their ability to fully engage in the workforce.

South Carolina Legislative Prefiling: A Comprehensive Guide

As the South Carolina General Assembly gears up for the 2024 legislative session, an important preliminary step known as prefiling has begun. Prefiling is the introduction of bills by legislators before the start of the official session.

While the General Assembly is scheduled to convene on January 10, 2024, House prefiling commenced on November 16, 2023, allowing legislators to get a head start on the legislative process and gauge public interest in their proposed bills. READ MORE

Economic Development 101:

What are Spec Buildings and Why Do They Matter?

Speculative buildings, often shortened to "spec buildings," are more than just commercial spaces; they're bets on the future of communities.

These structures are built without a specific tenant, but with the hope that companies will be drawn to their ready-to-use space and flexibility. READ MORE