PGS Bulletin

Partnership Grand Strand Bulletin

JUNE, 2024

Series 2, Issue 6

It’s official.. summer is underway and the first half of 2024 is almost complete!

June is also the last month of Partnership Grand Strand’s fiscal year, and we are excited to announce that we will be publishing our first Benchmark Report sometime in July. This report will summarize the multiple programs and partnerships we have forged in our first year of being fully operational.

This report will summarize the multiple programs and partnerships we have forged in our first year of being fully operational. It should also serve as a way to convey to the reader who we are and what we are trying to accomplish here in the Grand Strand. We will have plenty of copies available for you to share with others who wish to be part of driving the long-term prosperity of the Grand Strand.

As in any organization, things continue to change. Our prosperity lead, Mark Shaaber has recently left his position at PGS to pursue other career opportunities. We are grateful for his contribution over the last ten months and wish him the best in his new endeavor. Our search for our next prosperity lead is currently underway.

In the meantime, we will be continuing to launch our new artificial intelligence tool for small business and defining our small business education partnership with the HTC Aspire HUB and the eMYRge center.

The Workforce Sub-Committee introduced four new members at their last meeting. We are still looking to add more members to the Policy and Prosperity (Small Business) subcommittees. If you (or your representative) are interested in joining one of these subcommittees, please contact info@partnershipgrandstrand.com.

We will get back to you and fill you in on the project work currently underway with the respective sub-committee.

We welcome (and need) your involvement and the best way to get involved is via these working sub-committees!

WORKFORCE SUB-COMMITTEE

NEW MEMBERS

Charity Gerald

McLeod Health

Rachel Kennon

Habitat for Humanity

Caitlin Krask

Tidelands Health

Anna Strickland

Santee Cooper

Ask Myrtle - “Beta” Soft Launch and Testing

PGS will soon be launching a new AI-powered business mentor, a unique platform designed to guide users on a personalized path to success. Unlike generic advice, our AI mentor focuses on understanding your unique business and crafting solutions that fit perfectly. The next phase of testing will take place by the end of June.

HCS Career Readiness Program Application Coming Soon!

The HCS Industry Awareness Program seeks to shine a light on the various programs available within Horry County Schools. Highlighting potential employees at the high school level, these programs aim to foster a closer relationship between the business community and HCS.

HCS boasts 16 Career Technology Education (CTE) programs across its 11 high schools. These programs enable students to undergo career training, gain industry-recognized certifications, and develop specialized skills before they graduate. If you or someone from your business is interested, please reach out to BJ Beaver at bj.beaver@partnershipgrandstrand.com.

Data from Dew

SC Dew recently released expected job openings based on education level (see below). The highest number of openings are in jobs that require a high school diploma or no formal education/credential.

4-Day Work Week

Current Case Study: San Juan County Washington

In October 2023, San Juan County, Washington, in conjunction with their local union,

launched a 32-hour work week for all county employees, excluding the sheriff’s

department. Six months later, SJC reported that positions are being filled 62% faster, separations have dropped by 46%, 83% of the staff report a better work-life balance, and sick leave has decreased by 31%.

Despite these positive outcomes, officials in SJC still cite challenges with the new 32-hour work week. Identified challenges include adjusting to the new schedule, sustaining front-desk coverage, and maintaining productivity. Additionally, 12% of managers reported experiencing stress due to managing productivity under the new guidelines.

To see the full report click here.