Because we are not tied to a municipality, we receive limited public support (ie: a-tax dollars) to assist us with the expenses and overhead of hosting the festival. The festival is not intended to be profitable, but profits we may achieve are invested back into the Little River Community. Through the leadership & guidance of the Little River Chamber of Commerce & Visitor’s Center, the below are ways we have reinvested back into the community.
Direct impact: A study conducted by Coastal Carolina University estimated that attendees to our festivals spend about $90 in the area, creating a combined (with the Little River ShrimpFest) $4.25 million economic impact for our community.
Maintain Highway 17 & 9 Medians, the streetlights on Highway 17 & Mineola Ave, as well as the Welcome Signs in Little River (refurbished in 2016).
Promote Little River at Welcome Centers across the state.
Worked directly with Horry County Government to provide this free public parking lot on the Historic Little River Waterfront (4460 Mineola Ave., Little River, SC 29566).
Sponsor the SC Recreation & Parks Association annual Programming Summit. Via the SCRPA, the Little River Chamber was named the 2015 Champion of the Community.
Formally thanked Teen Angels for the good work they do supporting homeless youth in our community with a donation. [Read more]
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Donated the Christmas Tree for the local Tree Lighting Ceremony (held here), and work directly with Santee Cooper in displaying Christmas Lights along Highway 17. Photo of & from NMBHS staff.
Les Gore, LRC Board of Directors, “Especially with the consequences our community has suffered due to Hurricane Matthew this year, we know that families are struggling and [Shop with a Cop donation] is a great way to share during the holidays.” [Read more]