Attention Georgetown Business Partners!

The Georgetown Business Association invites you to join our association.

Please take a moment to read our mission statement and click here or below to view the membership application.

Mission Statement:

The Georgetown Business Association is a voluntary, non-profit organization. The purpose of the GBA is to encourage the economic development and revitalization of the City of Georgetown and to provide a forum for members to share knowledge, best practices and vital information that can positively impact the success of all local businesses.

About the GBA:

Our Goal is to promote the City of Georgetown as a destination for visitors, and support initiatives that will benefit new and existing businesses. By partnering with public and private entities we hope to assist in attracting business investment, renovate existing structures, visually improve business districts, buildings, corridors and preserve historic business structures. We will work to accomplish this while building upon the historic character that is the basis for our quality of life and marketplace appeal.
The GBA sees itself as a catalyst organization committed to encouraging long-term economic development, the preservation of the historic character of the community and committed to public and private partnerships in order to enhance the quality of life for all citizens in Georgetown. We believe the City of Georgetown may be the “best kept secret” in South Carolina and we are committed to maximizing the City as a tourist destination, as well as a community where private sector jobs are maintained and created for local citizens.
Together we set some specific objectives to be completed in fulfillment of our Mission Statement and our shared belief concerning our historic and beloved City of Georgetown.

The first of these was to raise the necessary resources to retain the Clemson Institute for Community and Economic Development which would provide the entire community with an economic analysis of our strengths and weaknesses and to address critical architectural and related topics including landscaping, the streetscape, gateways to the historic district and signage, both around and in the historic downtown. With the assistance of the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce, the City Government and many private donations, we retained the Clemson Institute. The result of that Bridge2Bridge initiative was the Charrette process.

The final report from Clemson includes a 5-year set of objectives to be accomplished.
Our second goal was to address our harbor. We formed, in cooperation with the City Council, a task force to address all the issues confronting this significant gateway to our community including abandoned boats, illegal moorings and other related subjects. This Task Force worked long and hard. They studied the best practices of other harbors from Maine to Florida. The results of their effort have now been officially forwarded to the City Government in Georgetown for action.
The third objective was to address the vibrancy of our City core of business located on Front Street. Based on the realities of economic development in states, counties and cities across the nation, we have suggested, along with the Georgetown County Chamber that the City Government develop a set of incentives that would have as their objective the continued economic viability of our existing businesses, as well as create an opportunity for new businesses to fill the empty store fronts in this vital corridor of our community. It is interesting to note that the market study as a part of the Charrette specifically identified the types of businesses that could exist successfully in our downtown.
We held an open house and invited all businesses to attend at the Stewart-Parker House. We continue to sponsor a Christmas Parade and the Jingle Walk and we look forward to fulfilling the balance of our objectives over the next four months.
We encourage both citizens and individual businesses to join us in our efforts as we move forward.

An annual membership for an individual is less than $1 a week; for a business it is less than $2 a week.

We encourage all individuals and businesses to join us in our efforts.

It is our City. Without our participation its future will be at risk.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

To become a member simply print and fill out the membership application and return to address provided on the application.

Please visit our Events Page for information regarding our next GBA Meeting.