MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – In 2015, The Oceanfront Merchants Association extended its annual St. Patrick’s Day festival to two days to bring in more money for event sales. The decision was in response to the Downtown Redevelopment Cooperation cutting funding by $90,000 the previous year.
This week, OMA announced plans to cancel the 2016 event. On Tuesday, OMA members appeared before Myrtle Beach City Council members to ask the city to approve the special event permit and cover $2,800 in “in-kind expenses” for police, cleanup, etc. at the event.
Council approved the event permit but not the request to fund other expenses associated with the event. City leaders say OMA will already receive nearly $300,000 in Accommodations Tax Funds and contributions from the Downtown Redevelopment Corporation this year.
The DRC has provided donations to OMA in the amounts below:
• FY 12/13 – $252,901.64
• FY 13/14 – $184,706.60
• FY 14/15 – $247,970.40
Total: $685,578.64
The City of Myrtle Beach had provided funding in the amounts below:
• FY 12/13 $130,000
• FY 13/14 $130,000
• FY 14/15 $140,000
Total: $400,000
The total for both: $1,085,578.64 over the past three years.
The decision to cancel the event is one that caught business owners on Ocean Boulevard off guard. Managers say last year’s extended event drew in more money and this year will be a loss for employees and sales.
“I know it took a long time to build it to this level and I’m hoping that it will not destroy us. It’s always a good festival in Myrtle Beach and it’s always good fun things for families to do here,” said Victor Shamah with The Bowery.
News13 reached out to OMA leaders regarding the cancellation and the group had “no comment.”
