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Myrtle Beach is probably the very best blue collar resort in the United States. If you are a local, you'll know what Doug Wendel, Bob Grissom, Golf Holiday, and our old chamber did for this town. If not, we'd be just another Daytona, Ocean City, or Rehoboth.
Just look what gambling did for Atlantic City.
My point is Myrtle Beach has come light years from what it used to be because of the great leadership it had. Myrtle Beach is a really great town.
Just as silicon valley probably isn't going to turn into a tourism based resort town, I don't forsee Apple relocating to South Carolina.
The business Myrtle Beach had, Air Force Base and AVX didn't make it here.
You're missing the point. Many residents, rightfully, want to see the economy diversify attracting higher wage earning jobs and thus an improved quality of life and the better amenities and schools that come with it. We're under no delusion that Apple is going to relocate to Myrtle Beach but what's wrong with fostering an environment for better jobs and quality of life. Maybe there's hometown Bill Gates or Steve Jobs right in our midst but lets throw more money at one more mini-golf course and beachwear store. How many tourist oriented things didn't make it here? Air force base closures happened all over just not MB. Heard of North Charleston? They're doing an excellent job being the #1 retailer area along with attracting high tech companies. Are you content with being referred to as Redneck Riviera and Dirty Myrtle? The high crime rates due to the transient nature of the area, the fact that pharmacist and law enforcement call Myrtle Beach the unofficial Oxycontin Capital of the world. What's wrong with progress?
Also Silicon Valley is much more an idea and term than it is a geographical location. It was a phrase created in the 1970's to describe the silicon chip industry that was emerging in the area. Downtown Santa Cruz (the 10th largest city in the country) is seen as the "Capital of Silicon Valley" and it has a strong tourism industry given it's known as the "Surf City" as well.
You're missing the point. Many residents, rightfully, want to see the economy diversify attracting higher wage earning jobs and thus an improved quality of life and the better amenities and schools that come with it. We're under no delusion that Apple is going to relocate to Myrtle Beach but what's wrong with fostering an environment for better jobs and quality of life. Maybe there's hometown Bill Gates or Steve Jobs right in our midst but lets throw more money at one more mini-golf course and beachwear store. How many tourist oriented things didn't make it here? Air force base closures happened all over just not MB. Heard of North Charleston? They're doing an excellent job being the #1 retailer area along with attracting high tech companies. Are you content with being referred to as Redneck Riviera and Dirty Myrtle? The high crime rates due to the transient nature of the area, the fact that pharmacist and law enforcement call Myrtle Beach the unofficial Oxycontin Capital of the world. What's wrong with progress?
Also Silicon Valley is much more an idea and term than it is a geographical location. It was a phrase created in the 1970's to describe the silicon chip industry that was emerging in the area. Downtown Santa Cruz (the 10th largest city in the country) is seen as the "Capital of Silicon Valley" and it has a strong tourism industry given it's known as the "Surf City" as well.
Good point.
Then again...isn't it cool to be called the Redneck Riviera AND have the distinction of having the lowest wages in the country?
To hell with diversification! Lets build another crappy outlet mall!!!
So are you trying to tell everyone that its ok for people who live in Myrtle Beach to survive on 9 months of activity? Thats the problem- MB has never invested much effort into making sure it a 365 days a year blue collar town. It simply is OK with living and dying by the tourist dollar. When is the last time a big company looked at MB? AVX? And guess what..they are GONE.
And I will argue the roads part with you all day long- MB may have "pretty" paved roads...but the layout, lack of an efficient way into the city, and gridlock during the summer season shoots your "best roads in the state" comment in the head. During peak season, 22/31 and 501 is still bumper to bumper and tourists still sit for hours during the busy summer months on 501 trying to get in to the beach.
And the great "leadership" here in MB has taxed just about every business outside of the hotel industry into moving OUTSIDE the city limits. Spare me the "leadership" cry.
Bottom line is you can't only have a blue collar workforce base of maids, hotel workers, waitresses, and put-putt greenskeepers if you want a city that will keep on top of growth and change. You need an efficient diversified base of workers to attract large companies to the area. Myrtle Beach doesn't have it. Which goes back to my original statement- about the only way to inject life back into this place is with Casinos or something drastic like that.
I love MB, but it needs to change direction and bring diversification if it ever wants to grow as a city.
I'm not opposed to casinos but wouldn't that technically be more of the same as far as jobs go (casino workers,maids, hotel workers, waitresses). Hopefully the new International Technology and Aerospace Park on the old AFB can attract some tenants or one major tenant. that would be wonderful.
Then again...isn't it cool to be called the Redneck Riviera AND have the distinction of having the lowest wages in the country?
To hell with diversification! Lets build another crappy outlet mall!!!
I own a web-based company. It does well and I have 2 employees but there's no tech culture in MB. I wanted to lease a very nice but vacant building downtown that would operate not only as my company's office but as a tech hub of sorts for local entrepreneurs. I'm in my mid 20's and the owner flat out told me she would rather it be used as a restaurant or book store and not a hackers spot.
My point is that Myrtle Beach used to be a Memorial Day to Labor Day town and that's it. People had three months to make a living instead of nine.
But then again if you were really a local, you'd know that and you would know all the changes Myrtle Beach has made.
I'm all for change, it's my hometown. I just don't see what complaining about the situation is doing to help it.
I'm 24, you sound like you're at least 60 something. You're probably talking about a time before I was even born. Furthermore no one is saying MB hasn't gone through changes, so I'm not quite sure what you're trying to accomplish there. I'm glad you were able to see paved roads in your lifetime but we're talking about bigger and better things.
I'm 24, you sound like you're at least 60 something. You're probably talking about a time before I was even born. Furthermore no one is saying MB hasn't gone through changes, so I'm not quite sure what you're trying to accomplish there. I'm glad you were able to see paved roads in your lifetime but we're talking about bigger and better things.
Agreed.
It would be nice to see an upper middle class develop in Myrtle Beach.
Right now, its the land of the haves, and have-nots.
You are young, but wait until you have to put your children thru the school system here. The number of kids with single parents, living in trailers, moving from townhome to town home is ridiculously high. Its not their fault, but its a symptom of a town that is undiversified and lacking a nice stable middle class with good wages.
I'm 24, you sound like you're at least 60 something. You're probably talking about a time before I was even born. Furthermore no one is saying MB hasn't gone through changes, so I'm not quite sure what you're trying to accomplish there. I'm glad you were able to see paved roads in your lifetime but we're talking about bigger and better things.
I'm 47 and was born in the old grand strand hospital that was torn down about ten years ago.
I find it quite refreshing to read that a young person like you is looking for ways to improve upon the place they live. I did not see one post where you complained about anything. What I noticed in your comments were many varied ideas and suggestions for ways the city can grow and improve the lifestyle of the residents.
I hope your own business continues to grow and thrive. To own a business with 2 employees is quite an accomplishment for someone your age, especially in this economy.
On a side note, I don't really understand what seems to be a competition between "locals" and transplants, with some kind of ridiculous badge of honor being wanted by the people who have lived here the longest. This competition is not unique to Myrtle Beach. I have lived in many different places and noticed that it exists almost everywhere. I still don't understand it......it seems so narrow minded.
Yes, I am a transplant. I chose to live here and I love it here. I have made many friends here, both born and raised and transplants. None of my friends complain about living here. And not all of my friends are wealthy ~ some are and some aren't ~ they run the gamut as far as income and lifestyle, etc. The only complaints I see are from some of the people who post on this forum.
Last edited by vrexy; 06-15-2012 at 01:23 PM..
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