Myrtle Beach City Council has approved an up to $20 million incentive agreement with WGMB (WaveGarden Myrtle Beach) to bring a $170 million private surf park development and hospitality destination to Myrtle Beach while generating significant new economic activity. An independent economic and fiscal impact analysis estimates the completed development would attract approximately 364,000 visitors each year, generating $58.1 million in annual spending at the park and another $12.7 million in annual spending elsewhere in the area. The project's planned location is the corner of Highway 17 Bypass and 21st Avenue North, next to Broadway at the Beach. It includes a WaveGarden surf lagoon of at least 5.5 acres, a 150-room hotel, at least 20,000 square feet of food and beverage space, retail, sports tourism uses, and additional hospitality spaces. WGMB is made up of four development partners: Highgate, South Street Partners, Twin Point Capital and W.M. Jordan. The city's maximum commitment under the agreement is $20 million, but the full amount would not necessarily come directly from city funds. The final funding structure will depend in part on Horry County's approval to add the future WaveGarden property to the Multi-County Business Park agreement, as well as the availability of other authorized funding sources.
Four Coastal Carolina University students have been selected as Swain Scholars for 2026-28, earning a two-year scholarship and an opportunity to apply their academic experience to health and wellness challenges facing local communities. Through the Swain Scholars program, students work alongside CCU faculty and community partners to identify local health needs and challenges, conduct research, and develop evidence-based initiatives to address current health and wellness issues. Ava Hurley of Roanoke, Virginia, is the Jewel Clemmons Swain Scholar recipient. Three additional students are Kenneth E. Swain Scholars: Jacob Griffith, of Clover, South Carolina; Kelsey Kiefer, of Charleston, South Carolina; and Siena Wurst, of Doylestown, Pennsylvania.
Brookgreen Gardens once again hosts Night of a Thousand Candles, a holiday event that showcases the gardens and sculptures by the light of more than 2,700 hand-lit candles and a million sparkling lights. The annual festival, named the Best Christmas Lights in South Carolina by Travel+Leisure Magazine, also features food trucks and live music. It runs through Jan. 3, 2027. Tickets for non-members are $40 for adults, $20 for children ages 4-12. For information, visit brookgreen.org.
FEMA recently awarded nearly $55 million in grant funding to fire departments, first responder organizations, and other institutions focused on firefighter safety and fire prevention in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. These awards will enable agencies to get the equipment, staff, and support they need to carry out their critical, life-saving missions. In South Carolina, the grants went to Horry County, nearly $1.6 million to hire firefighters, and the Whitesville Rural Fire Department in Moncks Corner, more than $1.1 million to hire firefighters.
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The Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) Area Commission has selected Lori A. Heafner, Ph.D., as the next president of Horry-Georgetown Technical College following a comprehensive national search. Heafner will assume the presidency Jan. 4, 2027. "The Area Commission entered this national search determined to identify the leader best prepared to build upon HGTC's strong foundation and guide the college confidently into the future," said Robert P. Hucks, II, chairman of the HGTC Area Commission and Presidential Search Committee. "Lori distinguished herself through her depth of experience, knowledge of higher education, commitment to students, and understanding of the communities we serve. She knows this college and our region and has demonstrated throughout her career an ability to bring people together around a shared commitment to student success and institutional excellence. We are confident in her ability to lead HGTC forward." Heafner currently serves as vice president for academic affairs at HGTC and has more than 25 years of experience in higher education, including 20 years at HGTC. Her leadership experience spans academic affairs, institutional effectiveness, strategic planning, accreditation, grants, assessment, and community and workforce partnerships.
Georgetown County Economic Development has launched a new website for the Port Redevelopment Master Plan, giving residents a place to follow the project and share their ideas about the future of the Port of Georgetown. The site includes information about the master planning process, past and upcoming steps and an online form for submitting public comments. Comments are shared directly with the consulting team developing the plan. The county selected Seamon Whiteside and Associates, a Mount Pleasant consulting firm to lead the master plan. Work is already underway, including engineering studies of the port's existing infrastructure. Economic Development Director Kelly Robertson-Slagle. She said the county takes its stewardship of the port seriously, noting that it is publicly owned property and that it holds significant history for the community. For more info, visit gtcountysc.gov/portmasterplan.
Horry County’s Central Coast Complex is now open in Carolina Forest, bringing a wide range of county services closer to home for many. Residents can visit the new location to access the assessor, auditor, and treasurer offices. The complex also includes a satellite Clerk of Court office, magistrate courtrooms, and Probate Court offices. The facility is also the new, permanent home of the Horry County Police Department’s Fifth Precinct. Located at 332 Hinson Drive in Myrtle Beach, the Central Coast Complex is open to residents Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
United Community announced the addition of five international banking professionals in foreign exchange and trade services. The expanded team strengthens the bank's ability to meet customers' evolving needs as they conduct business worldwide. United's international banking team brings an average of 20 years of industry experience, combining specialized guidance with technology-driven solutions to help U.S.-based companies operate globally. They are:
Roosevelt Bryant, head of foreign exchange trading
David Grimaldi, head of foreign exchange sales
Ashley Howle, foreign exchange sales consultant
Kajal Mehta, head of international product and operations
Leslie Pippin, head of trade services
Breeze Airways recently announced the addition of 11 new nonstop routes from Myrtle Beach International Airport, making it Myrtle Beach's largest airline. Those routes are: Albany, New York; Boston, Massachusetts; Buffalo, New York; Burlington, Vermont; Columbus, Ohio; Latrobe, Pennsylvania; New Haven, Connecticut; Portland, Maine; Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Stewart/Newburgh, New York; and Syracuse, New York. The new routes start between February and July 2027. "This is a huge moment for MYR and the community we serve," said Judi Olmstead, director of airports. "Our community has embraced Breeze since its arrival in early 2024, and these 11 additions brings their nonstop network at MYR to 25 destinations. From the much-anticipated return of Boston and Latrobe to nine other equally exciting cities, there's so much for our residents and visitors to be excited about. We couldn't be more pleased to see Breeze grow at MYR."
The Great Christmas Light Show will make its holiday debut in North Myrtle Beach this Christmas season, bringing magic and cheer to the Carolina coast. The event will take place at the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex (150 Citizens Circle, Little River) every Thursday through Saturday from Nov. 25 through De with over 2 million lights along a 1.5-mile path with 15 animated displays and light creations towering up to 70-feet tall. Visitors can also stop in at Santa’s Village for even more holiday cheer, featuring hot chocolate, s’mores, a ride on Santa’s Express Train, meeting Santa’s furry friends at the petting zoo and the opportunity to visit Santa himself. The holly-jolly festivities will also kick off with an exclusive peek at the light show during the “Dashing Through The Glow” 5k/1-mile fun run on Friday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. For info, visit https://www.explorenorthmyrtlebeach.com.
For a patient recovering from surgery, a family member waiting anxiously for news, or a health care worker coming off a shift, comfort sometimes arrives on four legs. Tidelands Health has partnered with Love on a Leash's Grand Strand chapter to bring certified therapy dogs to Tidelands Waccamaw Community Hospital and Tidelands Georgetown Memorial Hospital, offering comfort, connection, and joy to patients, visitors, and team members. Through the program, trained therapy dog teams will make regular visits throughout the hospitals. For patients, the visits can provide a welcome distraction from illness, treatment, or recovery. For loved ones, they offer a brief break during stressful days. For health care workers, they create opportunities to recharge and reconnect amid the demands of caring for others.
Recently issued credit reports from Moody’s Ratings and S&P Global Ratings provide favorable independent assessments of the City of North Myrtle Beach’s financial condition and fiscal management. Moody’s evaluates the City at Aa2, citing North Myrtle Beach’s strong local economy, substantial property values, healthy reserves, and manageable debt and fixed costs. S&P assigned an AA- rating with a stable outlook to the city’s approximately $17.2 million Series 2026 limited obligation bonds, which will finance improvements to the North Myrtle Beach Aquatic & Fitness Center. S&P also found that accommodations fee revenues provide extremely strong coverage of the required bond payments. Those revenues have increased approximately 17 percent since fiscal year 2023.
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