Georgetown County Special Section from 2015 SCBIZ Issue 2

Summer 2015

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County Spotlight: Georgetown | S.C. Delivers

county spotlight

GEORGETOWN

Huntington Beach State Park. (Photo/Austin Bond)

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE IN GEORGETOWN COUNTY www.scbizmag.com

By Jenny Peterson, Staff Writer

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eorgetown County, a small county along the coast, is one of the oldest settled areas in the Charleston region. Residents boast that in Georgetown County, you can find something for everyone.

It has the coastal life with vibrant beach communities, the river life with abundant fishing, and the rural life with vast acreage and natural wildlife.

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Georgetown Co By the numbersunty 2013 population...... ........................ 60 ,440 2018 population (p rojected).......... 68 ,240 Labor pool............. ......................... 30 ,094 Unemployment rate (March 2015)..... 8.3 % Per capita income (2012)............. $38,9 04 Source: Georgetown County Economic Develop ment

COUNTY SPOTLIGHT: GEORGETOWN Georgetown Shrimp Dock offers fresh local seafood. (Photos/Jackie Broach, Georgetown County)

The historic seaport city of Georgetown, South Carolina’s third oldest city, boasts oak-lined avenues, riverfront shopping and dining, a scenic Harborwalk, dozens of antebellum mansions and a rich past that attracts visitors from all over. It features plantations, natural beauty and authentic Southern charm.

Georgetown County boasts the best of both worlds in both its landscape and its demographics. Several colleges and universities in Georgetown turn out knowledgeable graduates and a ready workforce in a number of disciplines, from high-tech training in advanced manufacturing to marine sciences and coastal marine research.

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Aerial view of Georgetown County.

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Although tourism remains the largest industry, the business climate in Georgetown County has historically been in the metal and steel industries, taking advantage of convenient port access.

The county’s health care industry has thrived with two hospitals, Georgetown Hospital System and Waccamaw Community Hospital, as well as a number of specialty doctors and health care practices. Much of that growth comes from the area’s demographics: nearly a fourth of the county’s 60,000 residents are 65 and over.

Through its economic development department and Economic Development Alliance, the county is now going through

A restaurant on Front Street welcomes visitors.

a transformation with a move to recruit more technology-based businesses as well as advanced manufacturing, while retaining a relaxed quality of life.

Business incentives abound Georgetown County has attractive business incentives that make it a more affordable option than other nearby coastal communities without sacrificing quality of life.

“What sets us apart is our overall cost of doing business. Our land prices are very low in commercial, industrial, and beachfront real estate,” said Brian Tucker, director of economic development with Georgetown

COUNTY SPOTLIGHT: GEORGETOWN

With water all around, folks in Georgetown can go fishing almost any time of day. (Photo/Austin Bond)

County.

The city of Georgetown, listed among Sperling’s Best Places to Live, has a median home price of $118,600, and the cost of living is 9 percent less than the rest of the country.

Business incentives for development include reduced property taxes and a number of labor resources including substantial workforce development and workforce training dollars.

“We’re also one of the few places in the state where you can find affordable barge and rail access,” Tucker said.

This is especially true with break-bulk materials and commodities that don’t need

to ship in a container, he said.

“The port is a big benefit for the county,” said Perry Collins, owner and president of Gams Stevedoring Gulf and Atlantic Maritime Services, based in Georgetown.

As there are plans to dredge the Port of Georgetown, Collins said, “We look forward to getting it dredged to create more activity in the area for port-related jobs.”

Other benefits for doing business in Georgetown include the number of grants available to businesses that make investments in the community, including buildout grants and renovation grants.

Industrial companies are large employers in Georgetown County. Andrews Industrial

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Ruby’s stone crab (Photo /Jason Rosenberg)

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COUNTY SPOTLIGHT: GEORGETOWN Top: A youngster shows off his catch at a fishing tournament.

Right: Players compete in a soccer tournament at Stables Park. (Photos/Jackie Broach-Georgetown County)

Park is the county’s primary industrial park and offers move-in ready sites with water, gas and rail access along with optic fiber, phone and Internet capabilities.

Tucker said a large announcement for a business expansion in Georgetown is expected in the next few months.

With a top-notch school district, nearby technical colleges and Coastal Carolina University preparing a ready workforce, many

stakeholders are inviting new businesses to take a look at all Georgetown County has to offer.

Ramping up for advanced manufacturing Aligning with major industries statewide, Georgetown County has announced it is partnering with Horry Georgetown Technical College to open a dedicated cen-

ter for advanced manufacturing and metal fabrication. Tucker said the goal is to open the center by 2017.

“We’re looking forward to a manufacturing center where younger adults can learn a trade and be able to stay in our area,” he said. “The center would teach people a number of advanced manufacturing skills, including robotics, mechatronics, machine tooling and welding and all there is to know about equipment in the heavy metal and fabrication industries.”

“We have a very high number of students who have an interest in that field, and employers that need these skill sets,” Tucker said. “Our industries are telling our school districts what they need from the workforce with regards to skill sets, and the district is responding to those requests.”

Already the school district’s welding program is a popular class, and Tucker said the district is working on a Technical Scholars Program that would offer a two-year advanced welding certificate to graduating high school students.

The program would take place in the final year of high school and the summer following graduation. Students would get exposure to welding techniques and training and have practical work experience.

Georgetown County students are already learning a number of critical skills at a

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Visitors break fo r ice cream at a shop on Front Street.

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Sunrise at DeBordieu Beach.

(Photos/Jackie Broach, Georgetown County) Special Advertising Section

business owner you get a lot of attention.”

Entrepreneur edge

Quality of Life

One of the newest industries on the scene in Georgetown County is the rise of entrepreneurs, especially in the booming technology sector. A startup program, Startup.SC, opened in Georgetown in 2014 to attract more entrepreneurs to the area, thanks to $350,000 in grants from the S.C. Department of Commerce’s Innovation Challenge.

StartUp.SC has also received multiple grants from the Frances P. Bunnelle Foundation and recently has been named as a quarterfinalist in the Americas Best Communities competition.

The Grand Strand Technology Council, which founded the program, hopes it will bring in entrepreneurs who are developing mobile apps, games, applications and upgrades to existing computer programs.

Twenty entrepreneurs are currently working out of shared office space in Litchfield Beach in Georgetown County.

According to Ryan Smith, executive director of Startup.SC, a toy manufacturer and geocaching entrepreneur are among those working out of the space.

“The economic development department is very supportive of entrepreneurs,” Smith said. “Since this is a smaller community, as a

Visitors flock to Georgetown each year for the pristine beaches, picturesque water-

COUNTY SPOTLIGHT: GEORGETOWN

young age.

The district has incorporated innovative partnerships with Horry Georgetown Technical College and focused on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) programs. The district received an “excellent” rating from the state Department of Education for both its growth rating and overall rating.

Starting in the 2014-15 school year, every student in Georgetown Middle School and Georgetown High School received an iPad to use the latest technology and enhance learning.

“The district has quietly collected accolades as one of the best school districts in the state,” Tucker said. “It’s small district, which allows us to keep the imminent technology sector in mind.”

In addition to Coastal Carolina University, other colleges with a presence in Georgetown include campuses of the University of South Carolina and Clemson University.

Kayaking at Pawleys Creek is a favorite outdoor pastime. (Photo/Jackie Broach, Georgetown County)

ways and marshes, marine wildlife, quaint shops and memorable family activities.

The quaint coastal town and historic downtown is made up of small, local businesses rather than big chain stores, creating

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COUNTY SPOTLIGHT: GEORGETOWN A Pawleys Island dog walker enjoys a surfside stroll. The beach life is one of many choices for Georgetown County residents..

a small town charm. The laid-back lifestyle and natural beauty along tree-lined roads set it apart from other coastal cities, making it a frequent destination for tourists. For the true sportsman, fishing, hunting and boating are popular pastimes on the area’s many rivers.

“I can get in my boat and go fishing, and be back to work by 9 a.m.” Collins said. “If

you enjoy the outdoors and beaches, it’s a very gentle Southern lifestyle.”

Live oaks, historic plantations and mild weather draw in residents and visitors, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Events are held year-round offering a plethora of things to do, from surfing to world-class golfing. Brookgreen Garden is a

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Aerial view of the beach. (Photos/Jackie Broach, Georgetown County)

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unique attraction, situated on a colonial rice plantation.

“You can live in Pawleys Island and do the beach life, you can live in the city of Georgetown and do the historic downtown life or live in the rural part of the county near a 300year old plantation,” Tucker said. “We really do have something for everyone.”