Economic development, tourism group should work together to promote county
Published on 5/15/2008
By Tommy Howard
thoward@gtowntimes.com
Can we talk?
Tourism and economic development can -- and should -- work together.
That's the belief that Dan Scheffing and Annette Fisher and their two organizations hold, and on May 7 about 20 people from the two groups did just that.
Scheffing is chairman of the Georgetown County Economic Development Commission, and is a past chairman of the Chamber of Commerce. Fisher is president of the Chamber, which was recently tasked with helping to market Georgetown County for tourism.
For the most part, the Economic Development Commission (EDC) works with new and existing industry. Scheffing said people recognize that tourism is a big economic engine for coastal South Carolina.
Director Wayne Gregory of the county's Economic Development Department said he and his staff and commissioners work to recruit new companies, work with existing industry and maintain the Georgetown Airport industrial park and the Andrews-area Georgetown County Business Center. "Our focus is not tourism," Gregory said.
"We are not looking to take over anybody's territory or interfere. Tourism is the largest dollar generator. We do not want to be in that, but see how we can help." As an example, Gregory said, a call center would be a prospect for the EDC. Workers at a call center could be calling for golf vacation packages.
Growth is important
"I am just delighted that this is happening," Fisher said. "Tourism is one of the things we do, but economic development and the growth of business is very important."
Being a small community, groups in Georgetown County don't need to duplicate one another's efforts. She said she has a stack of five plans to promote tourism that have been developed for Georgetown, going back to the early 1990s.
"We are basically hired help for the county, to make sure this happens. The Tourism Management Commission is the agency for the county," Fisher said. The Chamber works to pay the bills for marketing efforts.
Other efforts for the Chamber include workforce development, membership development and working with the School District of Georgetown County.
"We just want to see that coordination of efforts is happening both ways," she said.
Scheffing stated that everyone at the table in County Council Chambers was part of the overall Georgetown community. "It doesn't make a difference where the thrust is coming from. We want to make sure communication is occurring and ongoing."
As people identify problems and bring them to the attention of the two groups, he said, "The more people are focused on problems, the less likely there will continue to be a problem."
Wally Johnson figuratively wore two hats during the meeting. He is vice chairman of the EDC and chairman of the Chamber's board.
The EDC wants to "make sure we are involved in getting and keeping good jobs in the county," Johnson said.
"Tourism jobs are not the highest-ranking jobs, but they do have the most number of people," Johnson said.
"I'm looking toward the future, what can we do as a group? The Economic Development Commission and the Chamber of Commerce?" he asked.
Opportunity
Oscar Weinmeister, who is associate administrator of Waccamaw Community Hospital, said the meeting "is a tremendous opportunity for us to work together as a group. Besides tourism, there are industries that complement tourism." Working together can help bring common goals to fruition, he said.
When he was previously in Georgia, Weinmeister said, the local chamber of commerce and EDC were wrapped up together. When an industrial prospect came to look at the area, the two groups worked together as part of a common sales pitch, he said.
Dan Stacy, a local attorney, is head of the private Economic Development Alliance. That membership-based group works to support the county's Economic Development Department.
"We can tell people what it's like to do business here," Stacy said. Members can provide input on the port, widening U.S. Highway 521 to four lanes, and other topics.
"Give us a project to work on," Stacy said.
Fisher noted that when Harborwalk Marina reopened in early May after new docks were put in, a 36-passenger cruise liner came in to the docks behind the Chamber of Commerce building on Front Street. Passengers visited stores and shops, walked around downtown and saw some of the historic buildings.
"Port widening would be very important to them," she said.
Gregory commended the Chamber for its Web site. "I've heard a lot of compliments about it. We are working to improve ours."
Fisher noted that the Chamber, EDC, and the former Georgetown County Visitor's Bureau (GCVB) sites are interconnected and drive visitors to one another.
Commonality
"I think we have recognized our commonality," Scheffing said. "I think we could leave here with a commitment that we look for opportunities to interconnect with other entities in this room."
As an example, he continued, when Gregory attends an industry trade show he could take information along to carry the messages of the Chamber of Commerce and the Tourism Management Commission.
"I would like it if people looking from the outside would see we are so finely linked and work well together," he said.
Scheffing, Fisher and Johnson all agreed that Fisher and Gregory will put together a small group of people from each of the two agencies to meet, mull things over and "work hard to keep the lines open," as Scheffing put it.
On 5/15/2008, We need Jobs! said...· (Report Comment)
James Sanderson has already made a impact in the County Council election. Tommy Howard is now writing all the stories mentioned in Mr. Sanderson's platform. First it was the port of Georgetown, then the economic development meetings. Go to www.sanderson2008.com Is Tommy Howard supporting Ron Charlton? These stories should have already been covered. Tommy, it isn't going to work. The county needs the leadership of James Sanderson.
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