Study: Myrtle Beach One of US’s

Best-Performing Cities

BY ADAM BENSON

[email protected]

(Sun News for full article)

A dominant hospitality sector and rapidly growing high-tech realm has propelled Myrtle Beach near the top of America’s best performing cities, a major new study shows.

The nonprofit think tank this week listed Myrtle Beach as the nation’s 12th best-performing city out of the 200 it evaluated, based on metrics including broadband access, labor market conditions, high-tech impact and housing affordability — vaulting it up 89 spots from 2021 rankings.

MYRTLE BEACH IS COURTING NEW INVESTMENTS, AND THE HIGH-TECH SECTOR IS KEY

Milken’s assessment of the city’s tech climate comes at a pivotal moment in Myrtle Beach’s recent history.

Officials are beginning a multi-year plan to create a downtown arts and innovation district defined by cutting-edge technology and streetscape designs.

But it was the October 2022 groundbreaking of a $31.5 million data center and transcontinental subsea transmission line inside the city’s International Technology and Aerospace Park that helped reposition the local economy.

Waldie (Milken) said that project by DC Blox and the HTC Hub on 9th Avenue North — a business incubator that caters to entrepreneurs — are catalysts for Myrtle Beach’s growing tech sector.

“If you look across the country, a lot of places that are big tech hubs, they kind of have been overdeveloped at this point. I think what makes a region like ours so attractive is that we aren’t (overdeveloped), and it is more affordable from a business perspective.”

Sandy Davis, who’s led the Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Corporation for a decade, said interest among prospective developers is at an all-time high across the county’s business parks.

Most recently, Myrtle Beach hosted the 19th annual Business Facilities LiveXChange, connecting site selectors with groups like Davis’s for talks on “big ticket relocation and expansion projects,” according to its website.

“The subsea cable (project) has really made a huge difference in the companies that we’re talking to, the interest that see.” Davis said. “Technology is definitely at the forefront.”

Preparing BEFORE Hurricane Season

Hurricane season officially begins Thursday, June 1, 2023, but weather phenomena aren’t known for abiding by calendars. While coastal regions are most vulnerable to storm conditions, tropical systems, including hurricanes, tropical storms, tropical depressions and cyclones, can impact any area of the state.

Businesses and individuals alike are encouraged to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season by making, evaluating and practicing a plan. Resources like the South Carolina Hurricane Guide can support every phase of hurricane preparation.

Familiarize yourself with all available hurricane and disaster response resources today. Learn more about critical emergency preparedness resources and procedures on the S.C. Commerce website.

MBREDC August Event Avoiding HR Issues and Pitfalls

August 10, 2023

Join the MBREDC members for a presentation by Attorney Perry MacLennan of Haynesworth, Sinkler, Boyd.

Thank you to our sponsor:

Ulitza Kronemeyer, NYL

Contact Sandra James for more information on upcoming events.

MBREDC May Events

May was a very busy month for the EDC and its members! On May 11 we hosted “Industry Awareness Panel Discussion,” which was attended by over 50 members. Eileen Patonay with the SC Department of Commerce did a terrific job of moderating this event. Thank you also to our panelists who shared valuable information about industries in our area as well as the MBREDC Industry Awareness Class: Cecilia Evans (Bank of America), Brandon Haselden (HGTC), Grant Farnaby (Systems Technology), Jackie McBride (Ebtron), Juan Serrato (Carolina Food Service), and Sandy Davis (MBREDC).

Our 2023-2024 Industry Awareness Class will begin accepting applications in June. Be sure to look for information coming soon.

April Industry Awareness Class

During the month of April, the MBREDC Industry Awareness class completed Day 7 in the Conway/Aynor location. We started the day at Metglas to learn about their operations. Next stop was Ascott Valley where SKUTCHI Designs Office Furniture has recently moved into their new building and Homewood Metalworks new location is under construction. B&B Furniture Manufacturing is located around the corner and makes furniture for hotels all over the US. PTR Industries Inc., located in the Cools Springs Industrial Park, manufactures firearms in Horry County. We ended the day learning about all the products that Homewood Metalworks offers. They expect to move into their new location within the year.

If you are interested in expansion or relocation of your industry, contact the MBREDC today.

Each of these companies have job openings and offer year around employment with benefits at competitive salaries. Visit their websites for more information.

If your business is one of the over 200 existing industries in Horry County and would like to offer information and a tour for future classes, contact Sandra James.

If you are interested in applying for our next Industry Awareness Class beginning in August, contact Sandra James for more information.

FEATURED WORKSHOP

How to Create Websites

Join us for this FREE Virtual Workshop presented by a certified SCORE Mentor

Thursday, June 22nd

12:00 – 1:00 pm

This workshop will provide some guidance on things you need to prepare and have posted on your website to make it efficient and productive.

Click on the link below to register

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting

Grand Strand SCORE

605 10th Avenue North

Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

Tel: 843-918-1079

Email Us: [email protected]

Tidelands Health to serve as official health care provider of Carolina Country Music Fest in Myrtle Beach

Tidelands Health will offer health tips and on-site medical care as the official health care provider of Carolina Country Music Fest in Myrtle Beach.

From the first chord to the last encore, the region’s largest health care provider will be on site with local first responders to provide urgent medical care. Tidelands Health will also provide health and wellness information throughout the four-day festival to help fans and participants stay healthy and feeling great.

“As the official health care provider of Carolina Country Music Fest, Tidelands Health will support fans’ health needs so they can focus on the music and fun without missing a beat,” said Ashley Capps, vice president of operations and chief nursing officer at Tidelands Health. “Our team is eager to again be the go-to health source as fans, volunteers, vendors and all those involved in this fantastic event enjoy all it has to offer.”

2050 Hwy 501 East, Building 100

Conway, SC 29526

800-844-4983