What's Happening in Myrtle Beach, SC…

Residents of Horry County, which includes Myrtle Beach, approved a ballot referendum known as “RIDE III” by a large margin, according to an article in Myrtle Beach Online.

The measure will raise certain sales taxes by 1% to provide funding for road construction. The amount of money that will be realized from the increase is $600m.

Brad Dean, who is the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce’s executive director, said the voters have clearly said they want more and better roads, and it’s time to start building.

In order to help the measure pass, the chamber and other officials in business and tourism spent $200,000 in the two weeks before the vote, partly to help educate voters new to the area about local issues.

Dean described the electorate as “frustrated and angry”, which meant he was unsure if people would vote to raise taxes, but found that people are willing to pay for improved roads.

The new tax will be imposed on hotels, bars, restaurants, and other retail establishments, and prepared foods sold in grocery stores. The tax will be in effect for eight years, and tourists’ dollars are expected to make up the bulk of the funds. A total of 15 road projects are on the list.

Agencies like these can benefit by working with newsletter printing companies to create a letter for residents describing the projects to be completed, as well as when and how the tax will be implemented.