With the increase in the population of Myrtle Beach to more than 12,000 people from July 1, 2013 to July 1, 2014, the Myrtle Beach metropolitan statistical area has just been ranked as the second fastest growing region in the U.S. The U.S. Census Bureau released these figures on Thursday and stated that since the 2010 census, Myrtle Beach population has increased by 41,000 people. Included in the statistics are both Horry County and Brunswick County, NC which were counted for the first time. Georgetown County is not included in the reported numbers but saw its own population rise to 60,693 in the new estimate.
This expansion is approaching the boom years of 2005 to 2007 when the Census numbers reported a growth of more than 10,000 per year. In Horry County the reported increase in population was about 9,300 new residents.
What does this mean for you, a resident of this rapidly growing area? For starters it means that building roads and infrastructure must attempt to keep pace with the expanding population. Horry County must foster local road-building initiatives so that residents can have speedy access to workplaces and local businesses that they visit on a regular basis. With continual growth comes road construction in a plethora of areas which may impact daily commutes for extended periods.
Our local school system will begin a $160 million, five-school construction project this year to be completed in 2017 to accommodate the new school-aged children in Myrtle Beach. This first wave will have some excess capacity built into the project but two more new schools may need to be built to accommodate incoming students for 2021-2022. The fast-growing areas of Carolina Forest, Forestbrook, and St. James will see the first newly constructed schools with a third elementary school to be built in the second wave of construction.
Every business sector will see a myriad of opportunities for growth coming to the Grand Strand. Both airlines and franchise options will take note of this surge in growth and the national ranking of 2nd place and foster new developments throughout the region. With the development of Coastal North Town Center in North Myrtle Beach, the opening of Gander Mountain at Carolina Forest, and a new Carolina Pottery along Kings Highway it’s already evident that the business community will strive to work diligently to provide growth, selection, and added opportunities for the residents of Myrtle Beach.
With the development of new business opportunities, new schools, and new infrastructure in place, the leadership of Myrtle Beach must also accept the challenges of expanding the performing arts community so that theater and concert productions meet and exceed the expectations of the new residents of the area. Myrtle Beach, the 2nd fastest growing region in the U.S. is now poised to enjoy regional growth, expanded opportunities, and prosperity for everyone.
Source: http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/news/local/article16828880.html
