New organization focused on downtown Myrtle Beach revitalization efforts

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MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – A newly formed organization called the Myrtle Beach Downtown Alliance wants to improve downtown Myrtle Beach.

CEO Amy Barrett said the group’s plan is to help revitalization efforts already underway to make the region a more attractive place to live, work or visit.

“It’s really important for areas the size of the Myrtle Beach area to really diversify the economy in terms of jobs, growth and development,” Barrett said.

With an increase in the county’s growth, Barrett is looking to route it downtown.

“Things like economic development, recruiting and business retention, all of those things that are really important for the private sector to have a voice and to promote Myrtle Beach,” she said.

Although downtown development has been discussed in the past, it does not always come to fruition. Barrett said that with 18 board members made up of private sectors and local government officials, this could have been the missing piece the city needed.

“I think bringing these two elements together in a way that maybe hasn’t been as well coordinated as it could have been, will really help us create a unified front and engage with the two residents who are already here, potentials. future residents, businesses and investors, ”she said.

With plans to improve the lives of residents, Barrett also wants to attract more tourists to the area.

In a press release from Myrtle Beach International Airport, the city recorded a record number of passengers in October, a 31% increase in total passenger numbers from October 2019. This, said Barrett, is another reason to revitalize downtown more deeply. .

“When they come here, they’re really focused, obviously on the waterfront. But there is a real opportunity to bring them closer to places like Broadway. [street] and Ninth Avenue, ”Barrett said. “So we want more of that and more opportunities to attract people a little further.”

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