Partnership Grand Strand (PGS), the nonprofit foundation of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce (MBACC) and Visit Myrtle Beach, announces the launch of Collaborate2031, a comprehensive community strategy initiative designed to strengthen economic vitality, community pride and quality of life across Horry County and the Myrtle Beach region.
“Collaborate2031 will be a holistic countywide effort that aligns priorities to drive economic prosperity, talent and place throughout our community,” said Matt Pivarnik, CEO of MBACC, Visit Myrtle Beach and PGS. “Powered by strong partnerships and a commitment to work together, this initiative unites communities, residents, leaders and businesses to turn shared goals into a clear roadmap to guide the region toward lasting opportunity for the future.”
Informed by community input and guided by local leadership, the initiative is led by a 42-member Steering Committee, representing a diverse cross-section of professionals with Clay Brittain of Brittain Resorts & Hotels serving as chair.
The full Steering Committee for Collaborate2031 is as follows:
Brian Argo, Conway Medical Center
Spencer Benton, C.L. Benton & Sons, Inc.
Mayor Barbara Blain, City of Conway
Sara Boling, CENTURY 21 Boling & Associates, Inc.
Scott Brandon, The Brandon Agency
Clay Brittain, Brittain Resorts & Hotels (Chair)
David Byrd, YMCA of Coastal Carolina
Chad Carlson, Burroughs & Chapin Company, Inc.
Jim Creel Jr., Vacation Myrtle Beach
Laura Crowther, Coastal Carolinas Association of REALTORS®
Sandy Davis, Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Corporation
Shannon Detzler, Horry-Georgetown Technical College Foundation
Curtis Dukes, Blue Strand Real Estate Group
Holly Ellison, Derrick Law Firm Injury Lawyers
Wallace Evans, A Father’s Place
Ryan Fabbri, City of North Myrtle Beach
Shannon Farro, Long Bay Symphony
Rusty Gaskins, Waccamaw Regional Council of Governments
Shawn Godwin, Palmetto Corp.
Jamesha Gore-Coggin, Gore-Coggin Insurance Agency Inc
Jenny Halstead, eMYRge
Radha Herring, Watermark Real Estate Group
Terrance Herriott, Conway National Bank
Cliff Jones, Horry County Schools
David Jordan, Horry County Government
Mayor Mark Kruea, City of Myrtle Beach
Carlton Lewis, HTC
Tory Mackey, The Chapin Foundation
Mike Mancuso, Waccamaw Community Foundation
Pam Martin, RISE Center at Coastal Carolina University
Steve Mays, Founders Group International
Lesli McGee, McLeod Health
Rep. Tim McGinnis, S.C. House of Representatives
Samantha Norris, Loris Chamber of Commerce
Bhumi Patel, Burr & Forman LLP
Whitney Prince, Boardwalk Billy’s
Blakely Roof, United Way of Horry County
Miles Servant, Surfside Realty Company
Mandy Sijbrandij, SkyWheel Myrtle Beach
Jimmy Staton, Santee Cooper
Kelly Tyler, First Citizens Bank
Dr. James Winebrake, Coastal Carolina University
“The Collaborate2031 Steering Committee brings together leaders who represent the full breadth of our community,” said Clay Brittain of Brittain Resorts & Hotels and Chair of the Collaborate2031 Steering Committee. “Our responsibility is to listen, evaluate and help set a clear course of action that reflects real needs and positions the Grand Strand for sustained success.”
To support the Steering Committee’s work, Amy Holloway of Aha! Advisors has been selected to guide the process. A nationally recognized community and economic development strategist, Holloway has partnered with more than 200 communities nationwide to use research and engagement to turn ambition into action.
“Across the country, we’ve seen how comprehensive community strategy efforts can unite stakeholders, clarify priorities and spark meaningful, measurable progress,” Holloway said. “When communities commit to a shared vision, they build long‑term resilience.”
Community Input Sought
As part of the effort, members of the community will have multiple opportunities to provide input, including participation in listening sessions and an online survey available at Collaborate2031.com.
“This is a strategy for the entire community, not just one organization or area,” emphasized PGS Executive Director BJ Beaver. “We encourage all residents of Horry County to take the survey and share their perspectives on our growing region.”
After taking input from community leaders, stakeholders and residents, the Steering Committee will work with Aha! to analyze how Horry County benchmarks against sister communities within the state and across the country. A complete Collaborate2031 community strategy will be released this fall.
For more information and to take the resident survey, visit Collaborate2031.com.
