Rally industry startled 

Myrtle Beach faces terrible business in May for years to come if the city succeeds in driving away the bike rallies that have become synonymous with the month, business owners and representatives predicted Wednesday.

Still, even some of those who said they would suffer financially during May said they welcomed Myrtle Beach City Council's actions of the previous day.

The council voted to raise taxes to pay for as-yet-unspecified strategies to get rid of the bikers and to outlaw vendors within city limits during May. Many said the move came as a surprise; some said they would fight it.

Other business owners - predominantly from motels, motorcycle shops and bars - said they would lose a huge chunk of their business and could go under if the rallies end. Hundreds of thousands of motorcyclists make the annual pilgrimage to Myrtle Beach for two bike rallies in May- first, the Harley-Davidson rally and then Atlantic Beach Bikefest during Memorial Day weekend.

But everyone agreed it would take time to adjust.

"You can't snap your fingers and get that business back," said Woody Crosby, president of hotel group Jordan Properties, who had called for reining in the rallies in the past. "It's going to be very difficult to recruit new business until the bikers are totally gone. ... It's probably a good decision long-term, but it sure is going to hurt short-term."

City Council asked the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce to find ways to replace that business, and its president on Wednesday said OK.

Please Read Lisa Fleishers' ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE