Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
EDC reports workforce focus, spec-building progress and natural-gas expansion
Summary
EDC presenters told council they visited 131 existing companies in 2026, are working to place 25 employees from a closing plant, have 291 open recruitment leads and plan a 100,000 sq ft spec building; they reported natural-gas pipeline construction is complete and service to Conway and Myrtle Beach is expected by end of August.
An EDC presenter (speaker 6) updated Horry County council on economic-development work including outreach to existing industry, recruitment pipelines, product development and infrastructure efforts. Since January staff have visited 131 existing industry companies and expect to meet 60 more by December; the presenter said workforce needs (internships, apprenticeships, training grants) remain the top issue. She said the EDC is working to place 25 employees from a long-time local plant that will close and named local firms stepping in to hire workers.
The EDC reported 291 open recruitment leads and 36 active projects. On product development, the presenter said the Lourdes Industrial Park expansion (20 acres) was approved by the city of Lourdes and mentioned a 100,000-square-foot shell spec building (expandable to 150,000) that has attracted interest. The presenter also said natural-gas pipeline construction is completed and that Conway and Myrtle Beach will have gas service by the end of August; North Myrtle Beach design is ~90% complete with a moratorium lift expected later in the year.
Council received the update and approved, later in the meeting, a resolution to reimburse EDC carrying costs from product development funds for the Ascot Valley spec building. Presenters invited council or members of the public to provide input on strategic priorities for expanded scope.
