Focus on Myrtle Beach’s Smart City Initiatives
What is a Smart City?
Definition:
- A city that uses technology and data to improve efficiency, sustainability, and quality of life
- Integrates information and communication technologies (ICT) with Internet of Things (IoT) devices
- Collects and analyzes data from citizens, devices, and assets to improve city operations
Key Components:
- Smart infrastructure (energy, water, transportation)
- Data collection sensors and monitoring systems
- Centralized command and control centers
- Digital public services
- Connected devices and infrastructure
Examples:
- Singapore: Extensive sensor network monitoring everything from traffic to public cleanliness
- Barcelona: Smart streetlights, parking, and waste management systems
- Columbus, Ohio: Winner of US DOT’s Smart City Challenge ($40 million grant)
- Pittsburgh: AI-powered traffic signals reducing wait times by 40%
What is a 15-Minute City?
Definition:
- Urban planning concept where residents can access essential needs within a 15-minute walk or bike ride
- Focuses on proximity of daily necessities (groceries, healthcare, education, recreation)
- Promotes walkability, reduced car dependency, and neighborhood self-sufficiency
Origins:
- Concept popularized by Carlos Moreno, professor at Paris-Sorbonne University (2016)
- Gained momentum during COVID-19 pandemic when local accessibility became crucial
Key Elements:
- Mixed-use development combining residential, commercial, and recreational spaces
- Decentralized essential services across neighborhoods
- Enhanced public spaces and green areas
- Improved pedestrian and cycling infrastructure
Examples:
- Paris, France: Mayor Anne Hidalgo’s plan to transform the city into multiple self-sufficient neighborhoods
- Portland, Oregon: “20-minute neighborhoods” initiative
- Melbourne, Australia: “20-minute neighborhoods” as part of Plan Melbourne 2017-2050
- Cleveland: Implementing progressive 15-minute city concepts across neighborhoods
Myrtle Beach’s “Living Lab” Initiative
Overview:
- Public-private partnership launched to support emerging technology development
- Testing ground for innovative technologies within municipal operations
- Goal to transform Myrtle Beach from primarily tourism-focused to a technology hub
Timeline:
- 2022: Initial planning and creation of Smart Cities Council
- 2023: Conceptual development and funding initiatives
- 2024: First four participants announced (August 2024)
- 2025: Expansion with additional participants (January 2025) and private funding
Current Participants:
- Cocoflo Innovations: Cloud-based city services (business licensing, emergency alerts, payments)
- Rep’d and Polco: Resident input collection and video messaging platforms
- dependbuild: Risk and knowledge management software for infrastructure projects
- Civic Dollars: Health and wellbeing platform (added January 2025)
- Liveable Cities: Smart city applications using advanced sensors (added January 2025)
- inCitu: Augmented reality for urban planning and development (added January 2025)
Future Plans:
- Dedicated Living Lab facility planned for Arts & Innovation District
- Temporary operations at HTC Aspire Hub
- Focus on economic diversification and tech sector growth
Key Local Stakeholders
City Leadership:
- Howard Waldie IV: Chief Innovation Officer, City of Myrtle Beach
- Leading the Smart Cities Initiative and Living Lab program
- Spearheading technology-based economic development
- Previously visited Peachtree Corners’ Curiosity Lab (near Atlanta) as a model
Private Sector:
- DC BLOX: Digital infrastructure provider
- Operates the cable landing station at International Technology & Aerospace Park
- $50,000 donation to Living Lab program (March 2025)
- Provides regional data center infrastructure
Technology Partners:
- Google: Established first subsea cable connecting Myrtle Beach to South America
- Meta: Building subsea cable connecting Myrtle Beach to Spain
- Living Lab Participants: Technology companies testing products in real-world environments
Other Organizations:
- eMYRge: Business incubator and coworking space
- Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Corporation
- Local educational institutions: Horry County Schools, Horry Georgetown Technical College, Coastal Carolina University
Significance of the Cable Landing Station
What It Is:
- Facility at International Technology & Aerospace Park (ITAP) near Myrtle Beach International Airport
- Connection point for international subsea fiber optic cables
- Operated by DC BLOX (can host up to five subsea cables)
Current Connections:
- Google subsea cable connecting to South America
- Meta subsea cable connecting to Spain
Strategic Importance:
- Transforms Myrtle Beach into a global internet hub
- Provides direct, high-speed international data connectivity
- Creates competitive advantage for tech businesses requiring low-latency global connections
- Positions Myrtle Beach as a potential tech center on the East Coast
Economic Impact:
- $90 million in capital investment from initial cable projects
- Catalyst for attracting technology companies
- Foundation for digital infrastructure growth
- Potential to reduce dependency on tourism-based economy
Funding Sources (Public-Private Partnerships)
Current Funding Status (April 2025):
- Initial $75,000 private gift received (January 2025)
- DC BLOX: $50,000 donation approved by City Council (March 25, 2025)
- City Council authorized distribution of seed funding to program participants (up to $7,500 per project)
- Companies currently working remotely or using HTC Aspire Hub workspace while permanent facility awaits funding
Long-Term Funding Plans:
- Pursuing $12 million Economic Development Agency Disaster grant (application status pending)
- Local government matching funds for Living Lab facility (estimated $6+ million)
- Additional corporate sponsorships being sought
- Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2025 (January 2025) allocated $12.07 billion for disaster recovery, which may benefit the grant application
Private Investment Partners:
- DC BLOX: Operating Cable Landing Station at ITAP and contributing to Living Lab
- Google: Deploying subsea cables (Firmina connecting to South America, Nuvem connecting to Portugal)
- Meta: Deploying subsea cable connecting to Spain
- Various tech companies participating in Living Lab program
Planned Permanent Facility:
- 37,500 sq ft, three-story facility ($18.26 million estimated cost)
- Located between Mr. Joe White Avenue and Jackson Street (near city services on Oak Street)
- Features to include auditorium for international presentations and dedicated higher education spaces
- Timeline: Originally projected 3-4 years from August 2023 (completion target 2026-2027)
History and Stakeholders
Timeline of Smart City Development in Myrtle Beach:
- 2018: Early smart city discussions begin; City Spokesperson Mark Kruea acknowledged “moving in the direction of becoming a smart city”
- 2018: Formation of Technology Advisory Group (TAG) with 11 appointed members
- 2022: Howard Waldie IV hired as first Chief Innovation Officer for the city
- 2023: Smart Cities Council formed with staff from nine city departments
- 2023: DC BLOX Cable Landing Station project begins
- 2024-2025: Living Lab program launches and expands with multiple companies
Key Stakeholders:
- City Leadership: Howard Waldie IV (Chief Innovation Officer), City Manager, City Council
- Technology Advisory Group (TAG): Including private sector members like Joseph Bonanno (Archetype SC)
- Smart Cities Council: Internal working group of 13 staff members from 9 departments
- Private Companies: DC BLOX, Google, Meta (subsea cables); Cocoflo, Rep’d, Polco, and others (Living Lab)
- Educational Partners: Horry County Schools, Horry Georgetown Tech, Coastal Carolina University
- International Investors: Foreign companies and investment interests in the region
Potential Benefits and Concerns
Potential Benefits:
- Economic Diversification: Reducing dependency on seasonal tourism
- Job Creation: New technology sector employment opportunities
- Infrastructure Improvements: Modernized city services
- Quality of Life Enhancements: Improved efficiency of public services
- Global Connectivity: International data connections positioning the city for growth
- Educational Opportunities: Technology career pathways for local students
- Environmental Sustainability: Smart resource management and reduced waste
Potential Concerns and Critical Perspectives:
- Surveillance Infrastructure: Installation of sensors to collect data on residents and infrastructure
- Privacy Implications: Questions about monitoring of public spaces and activities
- Data Sovereignty: Who owns, controls, and has access to the collected data
- International Connections: Undersea cables have historical associations with surveillance capabilities
- Public-Private Balance: Corporate influence in public infrastructure and policy decisions
- Democratic Oversight: Limited public input in technology implementation decisions
- Foreign Investment Influence: Role of international investors in local development
- Digital Divide: Unequal access to technology and services
- Cost vs. Benefit: Return on significant public investment
- Cybersecurity Risks: Vulnerability of interconnected systems
Key Questions for Citizens:
- Who controls the data collected through smart city systems?
- What privacy protections and opt-out mechanisms exist?
- How transparent is the decision-making process?
- Who ultimately benefits most from these investments?
- How are decisions made about which technologies to implement?
- Who are the decision makers on the Smart City Council?
- What is the status of the $12M Disaster Grant?