Georgetown Business Association presents donation to local charity The Village Group
February 18, 2026
The Georgetown Business Association presented a $3,000 check to The Village Group during its recent monthly meeting held at The George Hotel. The local charity was selected to be this year’s beneficiary for the association’s community outreach, with proceeds generated from last year’s festivals and events. The Village Group Executive Director Ray Funnye accepted the check on behalf of his non-profit, which works to equip youth with the tools to build a sustainable community, focusing on college and career readiness, cultural education, and economic development.
Ray Funnye with The Village Group accepts a check from GBA Treasurer Deb Smith and President Greg Metcalfe.
During the business meeting, GBA president and owner of SoCo Grille Greg Metcalfe provided information about upcoming events the organization sponsors and encouraged members to get involved. This year’s slate of events include:
Restaurant Week is February 23 through 28, with eight downtown eateries offering three course meals of their favorite specialties for $35-$70 from 5:00 pm to close. On Friday and Saturday, many of the retail shops will participate in Sip & Shop offering wine and snacks to shopper during the :300-5:00 pm window.
The 5th Annual Food, Beer & Wine Festival will be held on Saturday, May 2. As its signature event, the festival brought more than 8,000 people to downtown Georgetown, making it second only to the Wooden Boat Show in terms of economic impact for Georgetown merchants and business owners.
Music in the Park resumes in June, with concerts scheduled for June 6, July 3, August 1 and August 30. The July 3 concert features the legendary Chairmen of the Board. The evening concert series, which last from 6 – 9 pm, provides a wonderful opportunity for residents and visitors to explore downtown Georgetown.
Georgetown Art & Wine Walk is the weekend of September 12-13. Led by Deb Smith of Art Harbor Gallery, the event was recognized as the Best Art Event in Georgetown County last year.
Metcalfe also mentioned interest in expanding the Shamrock Shenanigans Krawl, hosted by Baxter’s Brewhouse Inn, to have a full St. Patrick’s weekend in the future.
In addition, Mayor Jay Doyle addressed the membership with a number of ideas and items on his wish list as the new mayor to help not just the historic district but the city as a whole. He said the city was exploring a number of options to address parking, including digital metering systems and a parking garage. He also mentioned adding other transportation options to bring people from across the county and Lowcountry to Georgetown, including shuttles to Pawleys and Debordieu, water taxis and possibly a shuttle to go to and from Charleston County to Georgetown.
About the GBA
The Georgetown Business Association is a voluntary, non-profit organization, whose purpose is to encourage the economic development and revitalization of the City of Georgetown. The association also provides a forum for members to share knowledge, best practices and vital information that can positively impact the success of all local businesses. 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.
