MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – Myrtle Beach city officials say so many new homes and businesses are being built that they’ve had to add two new positions to the Construction Services Department.
Driving through Myrtle Beach, you might feel like you’re seeing new construction on every corner. “We have three new hotel projects, there’s a fourth new hotel that’s planned, still got the residential growth in the Market Common, new residential growth along US 17,” describes Myrtle Beach City Spokesperson Mark Kruea.
“We have three new hotel projects, there’s a fourth new hotel that’s planned, still got the residential growth in the Market Common, new residential growth along US 17,” describes Myrtle Beach City Spokesperson Mark Kruea.
The city’s Construction Services Department is currently looking to hire four positions, including two new Code Enforcement positions. Director Chris Lee says this is partly because his department needs more hands on deck to stay on top of all the homes and businesses being built. “We’re doing all we can with very few resources, or increase in resources over the past five or six years.”
“We’re doing all we can with very few resources, or increase in resources over the past five or six years,” explains Lee.
Lee says their number of yearly inspections has doubled to about 18,000 in the last six years. His department has already completed 800 more inspections this year than it did this time in 2016.
“We’ve got one commercial inspector who’s struggling to keep up with the three high rises. We have two residential inspectors who, that’s all they do from seven in the morning till 5 p.m.,” justifies Lee.
Construction services currently has four vacant positions, but even when those get filled, Lee says that may not be enough.
“If the trend keeps growing upward, we will be in a position where we’re gonna need more help,” predicts Lee.
The two new positions will cost the city approximately $100,000. City officials have already accounted for them in this year’s budget. The application process for the positions is open through the first week of August. Read the complete job description on the city’s website.