A new area chamber of commerce will open this fall headed by Myrtle Beach's former mayor and a local businessman who want to represent merchants they say are feeling ignored by local government.
"We're going to be a voice for the small businesses," said
Grand Strand Chamber of Commerce founder Ward Shep herd, a former real estate investor and developer.
He said he sought former Myrtle Beach Mayor Mark McBride to be his new organization's president because he respects McBride's "creativity and innovation in looking for solutions."
The Grand Strand already has the 71-year-old Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce promoting tourism, sponsoring events and educational opportun ities and working with other
areas' chambers of commerce including Aynor, Conway, Georgetown County, Little River, Loris and North Myrtle Beach.
Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive and President Brad Dean, reached while traveling Monday, issued a statement:
"If the Grand Strand Chamber of Commerce is formed, we hope to work with that organization as closely as the other local chambers. We'll certainly share common goals of promoting, protecting and improving business," he said.
Shepherd said the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce can handle tourism and his group can represent businesses, especially the less tourism-dependent ones.
Read full story [Sun News]
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