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Myrtle Beach Growth Among the Fastest in the Nation

Backhoes and bulldozers prepare the ground for new business locations in Myrtle Beach.  The area has been named one of fastest metropolitan statistical areas in the nation, drawing both business and residents to Horry County.
Tut Underwood/SC Public Radio

    The many attractions of Myrtle Beach have led to the area’s being named by some as the second fastest growing metropolitan area in the country. Between 2000 and 2014, Horry County’s population grew from just under 200,000 to 300,000, a 50 percent growth in just 15 years.

Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce President Brad Dean and realtor Radha Herring discuss the features that have attracted so many people to the area, including good schools, mild weather, infrastructure, low taxes – oh, yes, and the beach! These features and more mean the resort town will continue to be a popular place to locate, but Dean and Herring are quick to say that growth is being planned for to make sure it is of benefit to the whole community.

Tut Underwood is producer of South Carolina Focus, a weekly news feature. A native of Alabama, Tut graduated from Auburn University with a BA in Speech Communication. He worked in radio in his hometown before moving to Columbia where he received a Master of Mass Communications degree from the University of South Carolina, and worked for local radio while pursuing his degree. He also worked in television. He was employed as a public information specialist for USC, and became Director of Public Information and Marketing for the South Carolina State Museum. His hobbies include reading, listening to music in a variety of styles and collecting movies and old time radio programs.