MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.—During a victory celebration held on Nov. 1, 2022, at Coastal Carolina University (CCU), Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce (MBACC) President and CEO Karen Riordan announced the chamber’s new foundation, Partnership Grand Strand (PGS), has exceeded its campaign goal, raising $3.1 million to enhance the region’s economy and quality of life for all residents.
Joined by PGS’s fundraising campaign co-chairs Dr. Michael Benson, CCU President, and Clay Brittain, Brittain Resorts and Hotels Chairman, Riordan expressed gratitude for those supporting the endeavor and their financial committed to partner with the newly formed nonprofit. Current PGS investors are as follows:
Founder Level ($500,000+)
- Brittain Resorts and Hotels
Diamond Level ($125,000- $499,999)
- Carolina Cool
- Coastal Carolina University
- Founders Group International
- HTC
- Island Vista
- The Gay Dolphin
- Tidelands Health
- Truist Foundation
Gold Level ($75,000 - $124,999)
- Burr and Forman
- Coastal Carolina Association of Realtors
- Conway Medical Center
- Kingston Resorts
- Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
- Skywheel Attractions
Silver Level ($25,000 - $74,999)
- Best Western Ocean Sands Resort
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina
- Burroughs & Chapin
- Carolina Limo and Coach
- Condo World
- Coral Beach Resort
- Cross Over Marketing
- Dargan Construction Company
- DDC Engineers
- Destination North Myrtle Beach
- Dunes Realty
- Elliott Realty
- Heidi’s Corner Restaurant Group
- Horry Georgetown Technical College
- The Jackson Companies
- Knight Foundation
- Lazarus Entertainment Group
- Maguire Law Firm
- McLeod Health
- MMGY Global
- Myrtle Beach Area Golf Course Owners Association
- Myrtle Beach Seaside Resorts
- Ponderosa, Inc.
- Retail Sports Marketing, Inc.
- Sandy Beach Resort
- Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center
- South Atlantic Bank
- United Bank
- Waccamaw Community Foundation
- Wonderworks Attractions
- Yahnis Coastal
Bronze Level ($10,000 - $24,999)
- Alabama Theatre
- Carolina Trust Federal Credit Union
- Duke Energy
- First Reliance Bank
- Holiday Inn at the Pavilion
- Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Nexsen Pruet and NP Strategy
- Rowe Professional Services Company
- Sea Crest Resort
- Smith Sapp Professional Association
- Surfside Beach Oceanfront Hotel
- Synovus Bank
- United Community Bank
- Vacasa
Partner Level ($5,000 - $9,999)
- A&I Fire and Water Restoration
- Anonymous
- Carolina Country Music Fest
- Complete Legal Defense Team
- Edward Jones – Scott Dietrich
- Fahlgren Mortine
- Grand Palms Resort
- Habitat for Humanity of Horry County
- KingOne Properties International
- Luckie & Co.
- Mashburn Construction Company
- Next Level Behavioral Health and Wellness LLC
- Restoration 1
- South State Bank
- The Meeting Institute
Supporter Level (up to $4,999)
- Pinnacle Financial Partners
- Ripley’s Aquarium and Attractions
- Santee Cooper
- Tidal Creek Brewhouse
- Venture Engineering, Inc
- Watermark Real Estate Group
- World Choice Investments, Inc
“Today is a momentous day for the entire Grand Strand. As a result of the generous donations made by eighty-two (82) local and national businesses and organizations, Partnership Grand Strand is fully funded and poised to hire staff members who will be charged with improving the livelihoods of all residents,” Riordan said.
Under the guidance of the 12-member board of directors, PGS will lead or support efforts to strengthen the Grand Strand through four equal and interconnected pillars:
- Prosperity: Diversifying the region’s economy and growing small business opportunities;
- Talent: Attracting, developing and retaining employees to build a robust workforce;
- Place: Supporting the ongoing revitalization of Myrtle Beach’s downtown and oceanfront areas; and
- Infrastructure: Scaling up regional infrastructure and transportation mobility to meet demand.
To pledge or for more information, visit PartnershipGrandStrand.com.
