A Letter from the Chairman

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As an area hotel owner/operator, I’ve seen first-hand how government red-tape and policy can impact my business. That’s why I volunteer my time as the Chairman of the Grand Strand Business Alliance (GSBA). 

With full-time lobbyist representation in Columbia and Washington, DC, the Grand Strand Business Alliance is the advocacy voice for Myrtle Beach area businesses. The GSBA also supports legislators that support our business community through 4 state Political Action Committees (PACs). Our Executive Committee is made up of myself, Tony Cox (Vice-Chairman), Shep Guyton (Secretary) and Billy McGonigal (Treasurer). 

Thanks to our strong lobbyist representation and PAC support, the GSBA has achieved several significant victories for the Myrtle Beach area business community. First and foremost, we successfully secured and continue to maintain over $35 million in annual marketing funds for the Grand Strand with the passage of the Tourism Development Fund (TDF). We’ve also helped bring in state funding to protect local water quality. In collaboration with lawmakers statewide, we’ve worked to reform the judicial process for environmental challenges related to critical infrastructure projects, including International Drive. Additionally, the GSBA has played a key role in securing millions in recurring beach renourishment funding to protect our region’s number one asset: the beach.

As we look ahead, there’s no shortage of issues that the Myrtle Beach area business community needs representation on in Columbia and Washington, DC:

  • Continue to protect and preserve the TDF for marketing the destination;

  • Increase access to natural gas and electricity; 

  • Seek state and federal investment for Interstate 73; 

  • Enforce standardized K-12 school start date statewide;

  • Expand our area’s workforce and prepare it for the jobs our economy demands;

  • Eliminate the corporate income tax and work to make taxes lower and more efficient; 

  • Give the hospitality industry a seat at the table on alcohol safety reforms and regulations; 

  • Create an even playing field when it comes to the taxation of short-term rentals; 

  • AND, most importantly, work to defeat the many pieces of legislation with intended or unintended consequences on the Grand Strand area economy.

The GSBA operates solely on contributions by area businesses and individuals to promote the common economic interests of Myrtle Beach area businesses. Your contribution to the Grand Strand Business Alliance and the PACs will only be used to support appropriate, business-minded candidates in accordance with state and federal laws. 

Sincerely, 

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Steve Chapman 
Chairman