In 2021, South Carolina “Ranked among the Top 10 Best Business Climates in the U.S.” by Area Development Magazine. A ranking like this bodes well for Horry County and Myrtle Beach, as the Grand Strand gains momentum, and people from all over the world see our region as an optimal place to start and grow a business. With low tax rates, competitive labor costs, affordable real estate, and an overall cost of doing business that’s lower than most of our regional neighbors, there are plenty of opportunities throughout the Myrtle Beach region to strengthen and diversify the economy.

Cost of Doing Business 

Taxes – South Carolina’s taxes are among the lowest in the nation with a five percent corporate income tax.

Utilities – The cost for utilities – electric, hydroelectric, nuclear, coal, natural gas, and renewable resources – is 15 percent less than the national average

Strategic Location 

Myrtle Beach is located in the heart of the Southeast and is a one-day’s drive to Philadelphia, PA; Washington D.C.; Richmond, VA; Raleigh, NC; Atlanta, GA; and Miami, FL. Myrtle Beach is only two hours from the Port of Charleston, the nation’s eighth largest seaport.  Last year, Myrtle Beach International Airport was the busiest airport located in South Carolina.

Top Employers

From education and government to a handful of manufacturers, the top employers in Myrtle Beach come from varied industries that support our area workers and their families. The largest non-manufacturing employers are:

• Horry County School District
• Horry County Government
• Coastal Carolina University

The largest manufacturing employers are:

• Apollo Valves
• Metglas
• PSI Molded Plastics