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Naming of Zeb M. Thomas Sr. Bridge
 Area leaders recently gathered at the chamber to honor longtime resident and community leader Zeb Thomas Sr. A resolution was presented to Thomas that designated a bridge, which connects Robert Grissom Highway with S.C. 31, the Zeb M. Thomas Sr. Bridge.
Hurricane Info Center
The Atlantic hurricane season is still churning away until Nov. 30, which means all Grand Strand businesses need to stay prepared for a storm. Visit our Hurricane Info Center for tips on preparing your business for a storm, a shelter checklist, emergency telephone numbers plus more. During an actual storm, we will be posting the latest news and weather reports on our Web site. Also in this section, you will find a Post Hurricane Business Survey. This survey will allow the chamber to know the status of your business so that we can pass the information along to those who inquire.
Welcome to the beach
 Splash on a gallon of aqua paint, bring in some warm sunshine, add a few smiling faces and before you know it, you’ve transformed a rather dreary building into a “beachy” welcome center.
“Our South Strand Welcome Center was colorless and depressing,” explained Faye Creel, manager for the South Strand Welcome Center. “We brought the energy and fun of the Myrtle Beach area inside and now it is bright and cheery. Our visitors feel like they are on the beach before their feet have even touched the sand!”
The welcome center, located at 3401 U.S. 17 Business S. in Murrells Inlet, opened in 1984 and had seen little paint since that time. The inside got a touchup around 1995 and the outside was painted sunshine yellow around four years ago. Creel, who has been office manager since the center first started welcoming visitors, noted that the welcome center with its bright red door was ready for a fresh new look. The Angel Zone took on the challenge and, with attention to detail and creativity, transformed the center into an oceanfront mirage.
South Strand Council Chairman Richard Singleton agreed with Creel saying that the welcome center needed to reflect the sun and fun of the Grand Strand. “It’s hard to describe what some paint, beach murals and bright color can do to an office building. First impression is everything and we want both our visitors and locals who stop by the South Strand office to have a positive impression of the Myrtle Beach area.”
Creel also wanted to remind members to make sure their brochures and business cards are on display at the welcome center. “This is their first point of contact in the Grand Strand for many visitors driving up from the South,” Creel said. “We want to encourage our chamber members to share their services and products with all these folks stopping by our office.”
The South Strand Welcome Center is open Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and closed Sunday. For more info on brochure/business card displays, call the South Strand staff at 651-1010.
Is your business family friendly?
 The daily challenges working families face can cut into your company’s bottom line. Add together time off for family needs, a stressful work environment, health care concerns and financial worries and the results are low morale, decreased productivity and a high turnover rate.
According to The Community Coalition’s (TCC) Web site, 1/3 of all employees say they work less effectively when under stress of work and family, and 35 percent of all workers with children would be willing to change jobs for flexible schedules.
Offering incentives, such as flexible work hours or day care subsidy, to keep employees happy isn’t some touchy-feely new management style but simply the cost of running a successful business.
“When employers help employees balance work and family, they have a much better chance of hiring good workers, retaining them, getting the most from them, and receiving long-term loyalty,” noted Jim Rogers, Family Friendly Business Initiative spokesman. “Developing a family friendly business is not only good for the employer and employee but for the community too. Horry and Georgetown counties benefit through improved economic conditions, an increase in business involvement in education and a healthier work force.”
To encourage employers to offer work/life programs, the TCC and Coastal Organization of Human Resources (COHR) started a community service project called the Employee Certified Family Friendly Business Initiative. The Family Friendly Business Initiative program emphasizes the need for more balance in work/family issues and builds awareness of the impact of families on community, education and business profits. It helps people juggle work and family life while decreasing absenteeism, stress, high turnover and low moral.
How friendly is friendly?
To be certified as a family friendly business, employees must rate the company favorable in several areas, including health care plans, flexible work schedules, financial packages, career advancement, time off (paid/unpaid) for family needs and encouraged involvement in children’s education. There are three levels of Family Friendly certification and a special category for organizations with 50 or fewer employees. All of them require the company to pay a percentage of employee health insurance. In addition organizations have a list of options from which they can choose other offerings, including some type of financial support (e.g., 401(k), child care reimbursement), insurance (e.g., dental, disability), employee/family support (e.g., wellness plan, parenting workshops), time away from job (e.g., paid sick leave, time off for school conferences), job enhancement/career support (e.g., tuition reimbursement, paid professional dues), miscellaneous (e.g., scholarships for dependents, elder care support). So far 55 organizations in Horry and Georgetown counties have been certified.
Why become certified? Certified businesses have reported that recruiting for new employees is easier, business owners have more accurate information regarding the benefits important to their employees, and employees say they appreciate their employer’s concern for family situations.
If your company would like to become an Employee Certified Family Friendly Business, contact Rogers at 349-2675.
Editor’s Note: In 2001, the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce became a charter certified organization receiving a Gold Seal.
Family Friendly Business Initiative Pays Off
Benefits to Business – Improve Profits
- Reduce turnover, absenteeism, tardiness
- Reduce cost in recruiting, hiring and training
- Enhance employee recruitment
- Improve productivity
- Reduce medical claims
- Promote image as community citizen
- Enhance customer service efforts
Benefits to Employees
- Reduce stress, worry and anxiety
- Increase feelings of hope, security and support
- More satisfaction with the home environment
Benefits to Families
- Empowerment to find solutions to personal problems
- Safe and nurturing atmosphere for children
- Encouragement and support for learning and growth among family members
Educational Impact
- Horry County Schools lead in parent and community involvement
- Business and community involvement in education promotes more parent involvement
- Parent involvement improves children's chances for success
- Better educated employees attract more quality businesses
Community and State Impact
- Improve economic conditions
- Healthier work force
- New opportunities for employment and training
Low-cost way to promote your business
Want to put your business name in front of thousands of visitors? Your airport welcome center is looking for giveaway items to be handed out to guests arriving at the airport. If you’re interested in donating items, call Sandy Haines, Airport Welcome Center manager, at 916-7224.
Seasonal hours for welcome centers
The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce has four welcome centers that are not only a great resource for visitors but also for the community. We provide information on education, real estate and other products and services our members offer. At our welcome center, we thank everyone for visiting.
Aynor, Oak and Airport Phone Numbers – (843) 626-7444, (800) 356-3016
South Strand Phone Numbers – (843) 651-1010, (800) 356-3016
Ashby Ward Official Myrtle Beach/Grand Strand Welcome Center
1800 U.S. 501 W.
Aynor , SC 29544
Monday-Sunday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Myrtle Beach Welcome Center
1200 N. Oak St .
Myrtle Beach , SC 29577
Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
South Strand Welcome Center
3401 U.S. 17 Business S.
Murrells Inlet , SC 29576
Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Airport Welcome Center
1100 Jetport Road
Myrtle Beach , SC 29577
Monday-Sunday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Weekend hours are subject to change depending upon visitor traffic.
Advertise and save $$$$
Your chamber is offering a cooperative advertising opportunity for members as part of a four-page, four-color direct mail piece in North and South Carolina markets. The four-pager will be used as a wrap and delivered Oct. 10–30 to a total of 3 million mailboxes. In addition to the direct mail, each advertiser will receive a free link on the holiday page of MyrtleBeachInfo.com and a link on the chamber’s E-Postcard. There also will be a link on the chamber’s E-Newsletter to our Web holiday page. E-News is sent to approximately 320,000.
The front cover of the piece will be a Myrtle Beach area sales message with photography. There will be a total of 20 ads available for purchase. The inside pages and back cover will include 10 large ads, eight medium ads and two small ads.
Material deadline: Sept. 9. To learn more about this ad co-op, call media buyer, at 916-7262.
EdNotes
CCU Small Business Center sponsors seminar on taxes
Coastal Carolina University’s Small Business Development Center is sponsoring a free tax seminar for small business owners Sept. 15 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Coastal’s Higher Education Center at Myrtle Square Mall, 2501 N. Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach. Representatives of the Internal Revenue Service, S.C. Employment Security Commission and S.C. Department of Revenue will lead the seminar. Participants will learn about taxes, record keeping and licensing requirements. To reserve a space call the Small Business Development Center at 349-4010 or e-mail jpgraham@coastal.edu.
To learn more about educational opportunities and work force development, visit our Web site.
September Spotlight
…Congratulations to Jenafor Braley, Avon independent sales representative, who earned Ambassador of the Month for July. Ambassadors call and visit members to ensure that they take advantage of their chamber benefits and services. Braley is serving her second year as an Ambassador.
… Applause to Coleen Shanley with March of Dimes who earned the second highest Ambassador points total for July. Shanley is serving her third year as an Ambassador.
… Thanks to HTC Communications for donating the cell phones for the Membership Renewal Phone-A-Thon held July 27.
… Thanks to Costco Wholesale for serving as the official breakfast sponsor for Leadership Grand Strand Class XXVI.
Top Five States of Visitor Inquiries for July 2005
- North Carolina
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Ohio
- Virginia
Top Five States of Relocation Inquiries for July 2005
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Virginia
- North Carolina
- Ohio
From the President
I-73: Where do we go from here?
Last month brought some fantastic news. Through the hard work of many people, a long-awaited transportation bill passed Congress, allocating $81 million for Interstate 73 and $4 million for a southern evacuation route. Overall funding for the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) was increased as well. The $81 million allocation is one of the largest for any single project nationwide, placing us at the top of a list of more than 6,000 projects. Better yet, the bill’s passage included a provision designating I-73 as a project of national and regional significance. This priority status opens the doors for future funding from various sources.
Many deserve credit for these great results but I’d be remiss if I did not thank our congressional delegation. In particular, we can thank Rep. Henry Brown and Sen. Jim DeMint for their work as part of the conference committee, and other members of our congressional delegation, notably Sen. Lindsey Graham, Rep. Jim Clyburn and Rep. John Spratt, for their unyielding support.
Despite this great news, our joy is tempered with a healthy dose of realism. This funding, though significant and deserved, will not build I-73. We have enough to finish the studies, complete the permitting and begin buying land. But millions more will be needed before the first inch of asphalt is laid. The days of the federal government paying for 80 percent or 90 percent of new interstates are seemingly long gone. Though we qualify for such funds, the money available for construction of new projects such as I-73 is limited at the federal level and largely nonexistent at the state level. So where do we go from here?
First, we must agree on the route. The money allocated to I-73 will not make its way to the Palmetto State unless we can agree on exactly where this road will be built. We now have an opportunity to build two interstates: I-73, which is planned to connect with S.C. 22, and I-74, which could connect with S.C. 31 and terminate in the South Strand. But if we cannot agree on the route these roads will take, our money may disappear.
Next, we must aggressively seek funding at the state level for interstate construction. Today, SCDOT has no dedicated funding source for new projects like I-73. Without such funds, interstate access is decades away. By securing funds through tolls, fees or other means, we can use the leverage of the State Infrastructure Bank (SIB) chaired by local businessman Don Leonard, to build I-73 in the near future.
The process of funding an interstate is slow and arduous. In football lingo, this most recent success was a first down, not a touchdown. We still have a long way to go, yet our prospects look better than ever before. What once appeared to be a dying project is now a national priority. Our recent success serves as a reminder of all that can be accomplished through regional collaboration. Let us continue to push for progress, together!
Sincerely,
Brad Dean
President & CEO
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Small businesses encouraged to protect intellectual property
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has launched a campaign encouraging small businesses to protect their intellectual property. USPTO is offering print materials intended to help small businesses protect their company's name or brand, conferences and seminars specifically geared toward small businesses, and a new Web site called StopFakes.gov. The Web site offers links such as All About Patents and All About Copyrights, helping small businesses to understand the difference between these valuable tools and how to get started.
This article originally appeared in uschamber.com Weekly, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s free e-newsletter. As a member of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, you can enjoy the benefits and services of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce – it’s a value-added benefit of chamber membership.
Warm Welcome
Front (L to R): Cheryl Soell, Planet Hollywood; Jennifer Livingston, Planet Hollywood; Linda McDandel, New Dawn/New Day; Terri Caviness-Grimes, McCutchen, Mumford, Vaught, O'Dea & Geddie, P.A.; Finola M. Jacobucci, McCutchen, Mumford, Vaught, O'Dea & Geddie, P.A.; Bonnie Baldwin, Bath 'n Kitchen Refinishing; Walt Pino, Bath 'n Kitchen Refinishing; James Settler, Waccamaw Youth Center Inc.; Lynn Edge, Waccamaw Youth Center Inc.; Abby Cameron, Community Service Book.
Back (L to R); David Martin, Iron Mountain Record Management and Secure Shredding; Jeff Gronde, Surfside One Hour Photo and Framing; Sandra Weddington, McCutchen, Mumford, Vaught, O'Dea & Geddie, P.A.; Tracey Gronde, Surfside One Hour Photo and Framing; Shane Smith, AVP Nationwide Productions; Michael Cannone, C and C Graphics; Paul Jenkins, ADT Security Services Inc.; Frank Baker, Defender Resorts Inc.; Jason Atkinson, Beach First National Bank; Fernando Soto, Client First Inc.
Thanks to BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina for providing refreshments for the reception.
September Convention Bureau Travel Itinerary
Travel Itinerary for Trade Shows
Sept. 7-8 Affordable Meetings National Washington, D.C.
Sept. 12-16 Myrtle Beach/Savannah Sales Mission Columbus/Cincinnati, OH
Sept. 17-20 Student Youth Travel Association Memphis, TN
Sept. 20-24 Amateur Athletic Union Detroit, MI
Sept. 25-30 Travel South Sales Mission Toronto, ON, Canada
Groups Scheduled for Service
Twenty-seven groups representing 6,025 attendees
Travel Itinerary for Consumer Shows
Sept. 9-11 Connecticut Women’s Show Hartford, CT
Sept. 14-18 Harrisburg RV Show Hershey, PA
Sept. 19-Oct. 2 AARP Life@50+ New Orleans, LA
Travel the country and promote your business
Looking for a chance to promote your company and services to hundreds and thousands of consumers? These are potential visitors looking for their next vacation destination. Make plans to join the chamber in attending a trade show. For more info, e-mail Kaci Sansbury, consumer promotions coordinator, at sansburyk@mbchamber.org.
A Huge Thank You to the following members who donated giveaways for recent consumer shows:
Broadway at the Beach
Ripley’s Aquarium
Tanger Factory Outlet Centers
The Conway National Bank
Coastal Federal Bank
Southern Elegance Casino Cruises
Hawaiian Tropic
The Farmer’s Daughter
Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede
CENTURY 21 McAlpine Associates Inc.
If you would like to donate giveaway items, please e-mail Kaci Sansbury at sansburyk@mbchamber.org.
Ribbon-Cutting Ceremonies
One of the most exciting events for a business, whether new or existing, is celebrating a grand opening, anniversary or recent achievement. Your Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is happy to help plan a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony for your business. There is no charge for the chamber’s involvement; it’s a value-added benefit of being a member. Kickoff a grand opening of your business by calling Pat Creed, membership programs manager, at 916-7225.
The chamber recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the following member:
TitleMax of Myrtle Beach
31627 Highway 501 Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 (843) 444-4641
Business Bulletin
Kimberly Gore has been named manager of Associated Insurors in Myrtle Beach. A 13-year veteran of the insurance industry, she is a member of the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors, Professional Independent Agents and Independent Insurance Agents of South Carolina.
Beach First National Bank has appointed John Breeden III as assistant vice president and commercial lender for the bank’s North Myrtle Beach office. He is responsible for development and management of commercial loan relationships.
Centex Homes Myrtle Beach division recently added eight field managers to its team: Brian Barnett, PineCrest at Palmetto Glen; Peter Benninger , Berkshire Forest; Brian Britten, Berkshire Forest; Chris Cox, LinksBrook at Prince Creek; Justin Engelhardt, Berkshire Forest; Jason Gray , LinksBrook at Prince Creek;Bradford Lilley , Berkshire Forest; and John Pratt , Berkshire Forest.
Centex Homes Myrtle Beach division has named Mark Priewe land development project manager. He is responsible for the management of the development of new properties, as well as establishing relationships with local contractors and developers.
Centex Homes Myrtle Beach division has named JoAnn Hicks as area sales manager for several Centex Homes communities. Hicks is responsible for the management of five communities in the South Strand, as well as the supervision of 12 sales executives.
Christian Academy board trustees announced that Todd Underwood has been named lead administrator.
Coldwell Banker Chicora Real Estate’s Litchfield office increased its sales force with the addition of the following REALTORS: Ellie Petersen, Robert Petersen Jr., Douglas Anderson , Rodney Sova and David Leonard
The Conway National Bank has promoted Melissa DuBose to electronic banking specialist. DuBose is responsible for assisting customers in using CNB’s Internet banking services.
Beth McMillan, RN, BSN, has joined Grand Strand RegionalMedical Center as supervisor at HealthFinders at Coastal Grand Mall. McMillan will oversee programs, screenings and special events at the hospital’s community resource center.
Grand Strand Regional Medical Center announced the following physicians have received active staff privileges: Michael Brown, MD , radiology; Hany Y.H. Fam, MD , pediatrics; James Merritt IV, MD , orthopedics; and Jennifer Merritt, MD , ophthalmology.
The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada has awarded Horry County the Certificate for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its comprehensive annual financial report. The certificate is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.
Horry County Disabilities and Special Needs has a new Web site at hcdsn.org.
Leslie Ritch has joined Marketing Strategies as a production strategist. Her responsibilities include proofreading, client/vendor communication and maintaining the agency’s archives.
American Chamber of Commerce Executives named Pam Wright, North Strand sales manager with Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, second in the nation in sales for chambers in the $500,000 to $1.5 million membership sales category.
Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Corp.(Formerly PARTNERS Economic Development Corp.) has relocated its corporate headquarters to the Coastal Carolina University Foundation Center at 2431 U.S. 501 E., Conway.
Planet Hollywood announced the following new management: Brad Turner , general manager; Lester Galarza , assistant general manager; and Denise Triece , director of sales and marketing.
Sandhills Bank announced the promotion Jim Smith to president of the bank. Smith previously served as chief financial officer.
SunBank, N.A. announced its alliance with Community Bankers Securities to provide investment products and services. Paul Boghosian has been hired as a financial consultant and will working out of the bank’s Murrells Inlet headquarters.
Ruth Pastula has been promoted to the position of administration officer for SunBank, N.A. Pastula is responsible for human resource functions for the community bank along with board of director communications, shareholder relations and administrative support.
Chamber Calendar of Events
Don’t miss out on these exciting networking and educational events. Look for more details in upcoming issues of the Grand Strander and in the chamber’s weekly Grand Strander Express. Sign up to receive our popular and timely Grand Strander Express by e-mail.
Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon – An appreciation banquet will be held Sept. 29 at the Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort at Grande Dunes honoring around 200 volunteers and recognizing the 2005 Volunteer of the Year. Invitations have been mailed to our volunteers. Myrtle Beach Herald is sponsoring the event.
Grassroots Network–2005 Regional Meeting – Join the S.C. Chamber of Commerce
for a regional meeting to help identify legislative priorities for 2006. The event will be held Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. to12 p.m. at the Kingston Plantation. Register at S.C. Chamber or call the S.C. Chamber at ( 800) 799-4601.
Annual Meeting – Your Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce will host its 65th annual meeting Oct. 25 from 8:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Embassy Suites at Kingston Plantation. Registration begins at 8:15 a.m. with education sessions going from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The awards luncheon runs from 12:30 to 2 p.m. This year’s keynote speaker at the 9 a.m. opening session is Darla Moore, a partner in Rainwater Inc., one of the largest private investment firms in America, and chairwoman and founder of the Palmetto Institute, a private policy research group in South Carolina. Cost: $30 per person includes all sessions and lunch; $250 (reserved table for 10 - $50 savings) includes all sessions and lunch. Registration deadline: Oct. 18. Sponsored by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, ZDirect, IQWAREand SunBank .
President’s Gala – This year’s President’s Gala, celebrating the Citizen of the Year and Ashby Ward Pioneer of the Year, will be held Nov. 17 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Dunes Golf and Beach Club. Tickets are $50 per person; $90 per couple. Heavy hors d'oeuvres , cocktails and entertainment. Black-tie optional. Registration deadline: Nov. 10.
South Strand Business Expo – We are busy planning this year’s South Strand Business Table Top Expo for sometime in November , date yet to be determined. The expo will be held at Inlet Square Mall with businesses on the South Strand invited to participate. For a small fee, members can gain valuable exposure for your products and services.
Costco MBACC Shopping Days – On Dec. 2–4 Costco Wholesale will be offering all Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce members the opportunity to shop in their store without having to be a member. Chamber members also will get a discounted Costco membership if they sign up during this weekend.
Legislative Luncheon – This year's tentative date for the Legislative Luncheon is Dec. 7. This is a great opportunity to meet your local and state representatives and learn about the chamber’s legislative agenda for 2006.
Online registration encouraged
The fastest and easiest way to register for chamber events is through the organization’s Web site.
Online registration allows members to quickly reserve and pay for chamber events. After submitting payment, a printable confirmation notice is generated.
“Online registration is so convenient for our members. They can register at any time, night or day and even on weekends,” explained Mary Lussier, membership program coordinator. “We encourage everyone to go this route to reserve their place at our events.”
According to Lussier, an added bonus of the system is the ability of a registrant to schedule a reminder e-mail of the event.
To register online, simply visit MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com and click on Events. Select the event and then go to Register Now. Remember to open Don’t Forget to enter the e-mail address where the event reminder should be sent.
For more info, contact Lussier at 916-7240.
Welcome New Members
Join us in welcoming the new members of your Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. |
