News and Announcements

In light of today’s filings by the South Carolina Supreme Court, the Horry County Government budget retreat scheduled for Friday, December 4, 2020 has been postponed to Friday, January 15, 2021. This will give staff time to evaluate what, if any, impacts this decision will have on our FY21 and FY22 budgets. 

As a matter of course, we will not offer any further commentary on substantive matters related to pending litigation.

Horry County Government will host a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the new Emergency Operations and Communications Center on Thursday, November 19 at 2 p.m.

Join Horry County Council Chairman Johnny Gardner and members of County Council to recognize the beginning of construction on this important facility.

Parking will be available at 1951 Industrial Park Rd, Conway, SC 29526. The site map is included below, including an alternate location in the event of inclement weather.

Conway, South Carolina-Due to a data transfer issue related to the scanning of a portion of absentee ballots, the South Carolina Election Commission (SEC) is requiring Horry County Registration & Elections to rescan the ballots. ES&S, the scanning equipment manufacturer, is on-hand to assist with the procedure which began this morning around 10 a.m. Registration & Elections wants all voters to know that this will not impact their absentee ballots in any way.

The Horry County Board of Voter’s Registration and Elections will meet Friday, November 6, 2020, at 10 a.m. to certify election results.

For questions or concerns, please contact Horry County Registration & Elections at (843) 915-5440.

Horry County officials remind eligible minority and small businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations that the deadline to apply for the two new South Carolina CARES Act grant programs is this Sunday, November 1.

These programs, the Minority and Small Business Relief Grant Program and the Nonprofit Relief Grant Program can help provide financial reimbursement to South Carolina's small businesses and nonprofits for COVID-19 related financial or operational impacts.

The Minority and Small Business Relief Grant Program will reimburse qualified recipients from $2,500 to $25,000. To qualify, minority and small businesses must employ 25 or fewer employees and be physically located in South Carolina. A full list of grant eligibility requirements can be found on the accelerateSC website.

The Nonprofit Relief Grant Program will reimburse qualified recipients from $2,500 to $50,000. To qualify, nonprofits must be designated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization by the Internal Revenue Service, be registered as a public charity with the South Carolina Secretary of State, and be physically located in South Carolina. A full list of grant eligibility requirements can be found on accelerateSC's website. 

The online application process for both grants will open Monday, Oct. 19, and run through Sunday, Nov. 1. The application can be accessed on the accelerateSC website. 

Click here to review the recent press release from the Office of Governor Henry McMaster.

For help with the application process contact the SC Cares Call Center at 803-670-5170 or by email at SCCares@admin.sc.gov. 

Horry County Council has declared October as Community Planning Month! Horry County would like to take this month to highlight the importance that planning and public participation have on our communities, environment, and lives. To celebrate, Horry County is hosting a number of community education and engagement opportunities, which are listed below. The County would also like to take this time to recognize the participation and dedication of the members of the Horry County Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, Historic Preservation Commission, the Parks and Open Space Board, and Keep Horry County Beautiful. These members have contributed their time and expertise to improve and protect the quality of life in Horry County.

Horry County Planning & Zoning Annual Report – Available Now – This report details the activities of the Planning & Zoning staff, boards, and commissions for fiscal year 2020 (July 1,2019-June 30, 2020). Click here to view and download the report, or visit us on Facebook.

Citizen Planning Academy Registration – Horry County Planning & Zoning is pleased to announce its second annual Citizen Planning Academy, which is designed to create citizen planners that will be engaged in shaping the future of unincorporated Horry County. This year's program will be held virtually through a series of 1.5 hour web-based sessions that will cover a variety of planning and development topics. Sessions are scheduled from the end of October through January. Applications may be submitted here by October 19^th. Spaces are limited to ensure that participants have a quality experience. Selected applicants will be notified by October 23, 2020, if they have been accepted into this year’s program. All education sessions will be recorded and made available to the public on the Planning & Zoning website afterward.

Historic Preservation Plan Public Comment Period and November 5, 2020, Public Hearing – The Horry County Preservation Plan is currently available for public review and comment on the Historic Preservation Commission’s webpage. The plan is also available in the Planning & Zoning Department at 1301 Second Ave, Suite 1D09 in Conway, SC 29526. Comments may be mailed to this address or emailed. The Horry County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing in the same building on November 5, 2020, at 5:30 pm. All interested members of the public are welcome to attend and provide comments.

Legacy Business Recognition for Goldfinch Funeral Home, October 20, 2020, at 10 a.m.- The Horry County Historic Preservation Commission will recognize Goldfinch Funeral Home, which was established and has remained under the same family ownership since 1905. This event will be held virtually to ensure social distancing. It can be live-streamed from the Horry County Historic Preservation Commission’s Facebook page on the day of the event.

Horry County Beach Management Plan Survey- Horry County Planning & Zoning has begun updating the County’s Beach Management Plan, which is a guiding document for the public access and management of the beach in unincorporated Horry County. Stay tuned to future press releases and social media outlets for the release of a community input survey!

Community Tree Planting Event at Michael Morris Graham Park- Friday, November 6, 2020, at 9 am (tentative)- A community tree planting event is being planned for Michael Morris Graham Park at 1253 Vereen Rd, Aynor, SC 29511. This event is being organized in cooperation with Horry County Council, the Parks & Recreation Department, the Parks and Open Space Board, Keep Horry County Beautiful, and PalmettoPride. Details to be announced.

Parks and Open Space Plan Presentation – November 10, 2020, at Noon – Staff will present a draft of the Horry County Parks and Open Space Plan to the Parks and Open Space Board at their regularly scheduled meeting on November 10, 2020, at 12 p.m. in Multi-Purpose Room B of the Horry County Government and Justice Center located at 1301 Second Ave in Conway, SC 29526. The Board will be reviewing the plan and considering it for review by the Horry County Planning Commission and Horry County Council. The public is invited to attend and provide comments. Comments may also be sent in advance of the meeting by email.

For questions about any of the above community education and engagement opportunities, please contact Horry County Planning & Zoning at (843) 915-5340.