Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce

April 21, 2021

MBACC Efforts to Combat Worker Shortages Throughout Grand Strand

The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce (MBACC) and Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is continuing efforts to develop creative solutions to the worker shortages faced by businesses throughout the Grand Strand.

In a letter to chamber investors sent Monday, April 19, MBACC President and CEO Karen Riordan wrote:

“Many of you have reached out to us at the chamber and CVB to see how we can help you with the severe workforce shortages we are experiencing throughout the Grand Strand.

“We are blessed with a strong recovery of tourism, but we understand that it has been challenging to find enough workforce to service these guests, as well as our local patrons.

“Your chamber and CVB are working on this problem by developing programs to tackle the issue head-on.”

Here are some of the notable efforts the chamber is working on to combat workforce shortages:

On March 16, MBACC hosted a successful Drive-Thru Job Fair in collaboration with the Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association and other regional workforce organizations.
On April 19, the chamber hosted a successful virtual job fair with Horry County Schools students.
On April 23, the chamber will host a workforce webinar to provide businesses with innovative ideas to recruit and retain employees. Area businesses are also encouraged to email the chamber at workforce@visitmyrtlebeach.com to share their suggestions and feedback.
The chamber continues to use its job bank to offer businesses a way to list their job openings for free.
MBACC is promoting the online job bank in numerous ways, including releasing audio and video PSAs to members of the media and other organizations to share on their broadcast and digital platforms.
The chamber has also launched a series of promotional campaigns to target retirees, veterans, teachers, college students and high school students.
MBACC is working with Coastal Carolina University to recruit students and offer summer housing for students who elect to stay and work.
In a collaboration with the S.C. Restaurant and Lodging Association and S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce, a pilot program in Horry County will soon match employees with open jobs.
A partnership with Apprenticeship Carolina will explore short- and long-term opportunities to place people in apprenticeships.
The chamber continues to advocate at the federal level for assistance with J1 and H2B Visa personnel.

The chamber also wants to hear your workforce recruiting ideas and asks that you please email workforce@visitmyrtlebeach.com to send your suggestions and feedback.