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I would just like to hear from locals what they would like to see come to Myrtle Beach that would really step it up culturally and economically. I get that tourism is the bread and butter but I feel like the city if planned right could diversify and be so much more than just a summer tourist trap (mostly).
I would just like to hear from locals what they would like to see come to Myrtle Beach that would really step it up culturally and economically.
How attracting about a computer-related industry, that would employ people who want to live near the beach. Not just software development, but maybe something like insurance claim processing or order fulfillment that would employ clerical people. These kinds of jobs are currently centered in Columbia, but could be in MB. It has a decent airport, and colleges that could train employees.
Another idea: atttracting something like ESPN to cover golf matches in the south-east. MB real-estate is probably cheaper than Hilton Head.
Better jobs would then create a demand for amenities like live theater, gourmet resataurants, etc.
How attracting about a computer-related industry, that would employ people who want to live near the beach. Not just software development, but maybe something like insurance claim processing or order fulfillment that would employ clerical people. These kinds of jobs are currently centered in Columbia, but could be in MB. It has a decent airport, and colleges that could train employees.
Another idea: atttracting something like ESPN to cover golf matches in the south-east. MB real-estate is probably cheaper than Hilton Head.
Better jobs would then create a demand for amenities like live theater, gourmet resataurants, etc.
I agree. We have some great inland areas of Myrtle Beach. Room for some great big time industry.
Or perhaps a Google or Facebook would like to add even more to their employees lifestyle....near Market Commons and the BEACH.
A big time sporting event or two with national tv exposure.
As another poster stated, diversify the economy with high tech jobs.
The proposed I-73 would run all the way from Michigan passing through 5-6 states ending in Myrtle Beach.
Outside of golf, I can't imagine a big time sporting event until we get the proper facilities. Myrtle Beach has the potential to be a major attraction for sporting events. The Bi-lo Marathon is growing every year. I would love to see a spring triathlon event and tennis center on scale to Daniel Island that could play host to Family Circle Cup-like event.
Myrtle Beach has hamstrung itself by structuring itself around the tourist dollar, poor roads, and poor educational systems.
Myrtle Beach has some of the best roads in the state now.
I remember when 29th Avenue North was a sand road and there was no 31 or Grissom Parkway.
Myrtle Beach isn't just a 'summer tourist trap' it is a nine month blue collar resort and it does that very well.
Myrtle Beach used to close from Labor Day to Memorial Day. Literally nothing was open.
Many towns would kill to have the tourism that Myrtle Beach generates. Myrtle Beach is within a twelve hour driving distance of almost 40% of the US Population.
After the 9/11 terrorism attacks, most cities tourism fell by almost half and places like Orlando, Vegas, and Hawaii got slaughtered. Myrtle Beach stayed flat.
Myrtle Beach is NEVER going to be Charleston or any other place. Myrtle Beach is what it is and it is a very nice tourist town.
I suggest either finding a better city or start enjoying the great amenities Myrtle Beach has.
I'm assuming no one forced any of you to live in Myrtle Beach.
Myrtle Beach has some of the best roads in the state now.
I suggest either finding a better city or start enjoying the great amenities Myrtle Beach has.
I'm assuming no one forced any of you to live in Myrtle Beach.
I was born and raised in Myrtle Beach. My family has lived in the general coastal area since the 1800s. For what it is worth this is my home and I care about the city and its future. I see nothing wrong with wanting to see it diversify beyond a "blue collar resort." God forbid a city evolve into something better than what it currently is. Funny how you mention how you remember dirt roads, how nothing was open from Labor to Memorial Day yet you're entirely condescending to people wanting to see it further progress.
I was born and raised in Myrtle Beach. My family has lived in the general coastal area since the 1800s. For what it is worth this is my home and I care about the city and its future. I see nothing wrong with wanting to see it diversify beyond a "blue collar resort." God forbid a city evolve into something better than what it currently is. Funny how you mention how you remember dirt roads, how nothing was open from Labor to Memorial Day yet you're entirely condescending to people wanting to see it further progress.
I'm not condescending at all.
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.
Myrtle Beach has some of the best roads in the state now.
I remember when 29th Avenue North was a sand road and there was no 31 or Grissom Parkway.
Myrtle Beach isn't just a 'summer tourist trap' it is a nine month blue collar resort and it does that very well.
Myrtle Beach used to close from Labor Day to Memorial Day. Literally nothing was open.
Many towns would kill to have the tourism that Myrtle Beach generates. Myrtle Beach is within a twelve hour driving distance of almost 40% of the US Population.
After the 9/11 terrorism attacks, most cities tourism fell by almost half and places like Orlando, Vegas, and Hawaii got slaughtered. Myrtle Beach stayed flat.
Myrtle Beach is NEVER going to be Charleston or any other place. Myrtle Beach is what it is and it is a very nice tourist town.
I suggest either finding a better city or start enjoying the great amenities Myrtle Beach has.
I'm assuming no one forced any of you to live in Myrtle Beach.
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.
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