horry county news

20-Year Plan Will Significantly Expand Myrtle Beach International Airport

If the current rate of passengers coming through Myrtle Beach International Airport continues at the same pace, the airport will not be able to sustain the influx. A 20-year plan is being created to try to keep up with the growing number of passengers.

Scott Van Moppes, Horry County Director of Airports, said that “two years from now, according to the forecast, we’re going to be undersized for the number of people traveling through the airport.”

Two proposals have been enacted to increase the size of the airport – one would increase the number of gates to 23 and one would increase the number of gates to 25. In addition to gate space, the proposals also call for more parking and an increase in the number of international flights.

Officials are also discussing the possibility of adding space for a shipping distribution center for companies like FedEx and Amazon.

It is expected that a finalized plan will be presented to the Federal Aviation Administration by the end of 2021.

News

New Flooding Task Force Meets To Discuss Ongoing Crisis

A new Horry County flooding task force has been created to help solve the increasingly concerning issue surrounding the flooding in Horry County.

Horry County has been facing flash flooding issues that, coupled with the current pandemic, have placed the county in a difficult position as they work to identify and budget for widespread infrastructure improvements.

Members of the task force “include developers, county staff, environmental activists and politicians such as Al Allen, William Bailey, Orton Bellamy, Ken Richardson, Alex Hyman and Kevin Hardee.”

The task force met for the first time last week, where they began discussions on the current flooding issues faced by the county. They are expected to create and present a flood mitigation plan in the coming months.

The county is also seeking millions of dollars in grant funding to help them solve this ongoing problem.

While it is currently unknown what the task force will identify and request in their plan to combat flash flooding issues in Horry County, residents are hopeful that there will soon be some direction in how the county plans on addressing the problem.

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Small Businesses Offered Financial Relief During Difficult Time

Small businesses everywhere have been hit hard by the pandemic. In Myrtle Beach, small businesses are being offered financial help to cope with the economic hardship they currently face.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has $600,000 available for small businesses in the area. Businesses can receive anywhere from $1,000 to $25,000, which can go towards a variety of different business expenses.

Courtney Frappaolo, Horry County’s Community Development and Blocks Grants Director, explained the purpose of the program saying, “The goal of this program from a federal funding standpoint is twofold. It’s to help local communities stabilize their economy but also to ensure that low to moderate-income residents can maintain their jobs and maintain their housing.”

Applicants must meet a variety of requirements in order to be eligible for the grant money – the small businesses must have 25 or fewer employees, be located in Horry County, and show the economic hit they took as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Small businesses have until January 29th to apply.

If you are interested in applying, click here to access the application.

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Horry County Plans To Sue Myrtle Beach Over Sale of Campground

Horry County is planning to sue the city of Myrtle Beach following a push by city officials to sell campground land, which directly benefits the Myrtle Beach International Airport.

A lis pendens was filed in court last week, which signals a “suit pending.” The court document highlights the 145 acres of contentious land inside the Lakewood Camping Resort and Pirateland Family Camping Resort that the city of Myrtle Beach plans on selling.

The Myrtle Beach City Council voted in November to sell the land. However, a second vote is needed and should occur in the next month or so.

Horry County officials directly oppose the sale of the land, citing its numerous benefits to the airport and the alleged overreach of legal obligations to the county.

“We’re going to do what we can do legally to protect that property so that we can protect the airport. The airport’s important to Horry County. The sole purpose of the money generated from [the properties] is to support the airport. If that is sold and that money goes somewhere else, it won’t be supporting the airport,” said Johnny Gardner, Horry County Council Chairman.

The court filings came as a shock to Myrtle Beach officials and it is unclear at this time how these actions may affect the next city council vote on the proposed sale of the land.

News

Bus Services to Expand in Horry County

Horry County’s public transit provider, Coast Rapid Transit Authority, will be expanding its bus services over the next few years.

With the addition of six new buses and a variety of new routes, public transit users will now be able to reach a variety of areas outside of the Myrtle Beach and Conway areas, including a highly anticipated new route from Myrtle Beach to Carolina Forest to North Myrtle Beach.

The $7.1 million expansions are being made possible through the money Coast RTA received from the CARES Act that was passed earlier this year. Coast RTA plans to use the $5 million they received from the CARES Act over the next 5 years, focusing a majority of the funds on the route expansions.

Some of the additions will begin as soon as October with other routes being added throughout 2021.

There are still some routes that need to be finalized and the Coast RTA is encouraging members of the public to share their input.

News

Horry County Census Response Rate is Disturbingly Low

As of today, less than 40% of Myrtle Beach residents have responded to the 2020 Census.

Across Horry County, the response is under 57%. Response rates in Horry County towns and cities include:

Atlantic Beach 15.7%
Aynor 56.6%
Briarcliff Acres: 71%
Conway 55.6%
Loris 56.3%
North Myrtle Beach 24.8%
Myrtle Beach 38.9%
Surfside Beach 34.7%

Billions of dollars in federal, state, county and local government are allocated based on census results. Congressional and legislative seats are also drawn using census data. As a result of the last census in 2010, the coastal area and Pee Dee gained a congressional seat.

It’s not too late to respond. You can still complete the questionnaire yourself  online at 2020census.gov, by calling  844-330-2020, or by returning the paper form you received in the mail.  Respond using the address where you were living on April 1, 2020 and include anyone who was living with you at the time.