MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) – The Coastal Alliance held its first meeting since the Memorial Day Weekend Bikefest on Wednesday.
Horry County Emergency Management Director Randy Webster says the success of the event shows what happens when everyone comes together and they stuck to the goal of safety first.
“In terms of things we need to look at, we always need to tweak communications and we’ll do that, and then we’ll have to wait until the after action report comes out to really determine any final details of things we want to tweak,” said Webster.
During Wednesday’s meeting, the group discussed how this year’s event went and it already looks ahead to next year.
“I thought it was excellent, the planning and preparation they did and the coordination,” said Atlantic Beach’s new Town Manager Benjamin Quattlebaum.
Horry County Council Chairman Mark Lazarus agreed with that sentiment.
“Well I think it went extremely well, as well as could be expected and we’re looking forward to next year,” Lazarus said.
In moving forward Chairman Lazarus said he would like to see Atlantic Beach do more development throughout the year.
“I don’t believe that the economy of Atlantic Beach is just one weekend, we need to look at how we can build the economy and make it a sustainable economy for year round purposes and get a tax base that can help pay the bills and help Atlantic Beach prosper.” Lazarus said.
It’s something Atlantic Beach’s new Town Manager would also like to see happen.
“We agree and we’re going to be working towards development, economic development as well as other programming activities throughout the year,” Quattlebaum said.
To make that happen Atlantic Beach Leaders want to start their efforts with the Town’s biggest money maker.
“We’re just at the preliminary planning stages but what we’re looking to do, not only to enhance Bikefest Memorial Day Weekend but do some other activities leading up to and commemorating the 50th anniversary,” Quattlebaum said.
All ideas County Council Chair Mark Lazarus says Horry County would help with if the Town wanted to work together.
“Well that’s got to come for Atlantic Beach, they’ve got to lay a plan out to us and have the desire to want to change first that’ll be the first step and then we can get involved. The Governor’s offered a lot of economic incentives that we would certainly work in helping them secure.
An effort everyone involved in Bikefest wants to continue as planning now begins for next year’s event.
