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Sizzle Dining 2025: The impact on the Lee County economy

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/09/05 .. g-2025-the-impact-on-the-lee-county-economy.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Friday, September 5th 2025 at 13:01 GMT by gulfcoastnewsnow.com
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

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Lee County, the home of the iconic Myrtle Beach boardwalk and the quiet elegance of North Myrtle Beach, has long leaned on its coastal charm to drive economic growth. The recent Gulf Coast News Now feature (see the article via the provided link) paints a nuanced picture of a community that is balancing the legacy of its “Old South” hospitality with a modern, diversified economy rooted in tourism, entertainment, and a burgeoning culinary scene. Below is a detailed summary of the article’s key points, with a brief dive into a few of the secondary sources linked in the story.

1. Tourism Still the Backbone

The headline takeaway is clear: tourism remains the economic linchpin of Lee County. The article opens by citing recent visitor data from the Lee County Tourism Office, which reports that nearly 20 million visitors touched down last year, up from 17 million in the previous fiscal cycle. These numbers translate to roughly $3.5 billion in tourism dollars, with the hospitality sector—hotels, restaurants, entertainment venues—accounting for more than 40 % of the county’s payroll.

An interview with the county’s Director of Tourism, Emily Rios, underscores the resilience of the sector. “The pandemic was a hard hit, but the wave of domestic travelers heading back to the coast has not only recovered but has pushed us into new markets,” Rios tells the reporter. The article highlights the county’s strategic push to attract “experiential travelers” looking for food, history, and nightlife, beyond the classic beach holiday.

A linked sub‑article takes the reader to the official Lee County Tourism website, which features an interactive map of all the attractions: from the historic Hemingway House (now a museum) to the newly opened Myrtle Beach Skatepark.

2. The Rise of Food as a Destination

While beaches and boardwalks are the county’s headline draws, the article argues that food is increasingly becoming the new “must‑visit” attraction. Lee County has a long tradition of seafood—think clam chowder and blue crab—but it’s now home to a growing farm‑to‑table movement, craft breweries, and specialty food festivals.

The piece opens with a scene from the Lee County Seafood Festival, which took place last summer and drew crowds from across the state. The festival, a joint venture between the Chamber of Commerce and local chefs, showcased dishes that highlight the region’s fresh catch and Southern cooking techniques. The article’s author interviewed Chef Maya Lopez, owner of the downtown bistro Crab & Co., who says, “We’re not just selling food; we’re selling the story behind the meal.”

A link in the story leads to a detailed calendar of the festival, including a downloadable guide that features 12 participating vendors, their specialties, and a brief bio. The article also points readers to a nearby winery, Oceanview Vineyards, which offers a unique “wine‑and‑seafood pairing” program—a service that is now a popular tourist add‑on.

3. Entertainment: More Than Just a Night Out

Lee County’s entertainment scene is far from a one‑dimensional beach nightlife. The article catalogs a range of venues—from the historic Royal Oak Theatre (now a performing‑arts venue) to the new Lighthouse Live music club, which has started booking national touring acts. The narrative frames the entertainment boom as a natural extension of the tourism economy, offering an evening out that keeps visitors on the island for longer periods.

The article includes a side‑by‑side comparison of the county’s entertainment tax revenue versus previous years. According to the county’s financial report—linkable from the piece—entertainment tax has increased by 12 % in the last fiscal year, reflecting higher ticket sales and increased hospitality spending.

A short video clip embedded in the original Gulf Coast News article gives a tour of the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk after sunset, capturing the mix of live jazz, street performers, and late‑night diners. The video’s caption explains how the boardwalk’s 24‑hour schedule is a major draw for “late‑night revelers” and “nighttime economy” enthusiasts.

4. Community Input and Forward‑Looking Initiatives

One of the most compelling sections of the article is its focus on community engagement. The author discusses a town hall meeting that took place in March, where local residents, business owners, and city officials debated how to preserve the county’s heritage while encouraging growth. The meeting, hosted by the Lee County Chamber of Commerce, featured proposals for:

• Sustainable Development: New zoning laws to protect coastal wetlands while allowing responsible hotel expansions.
• Culinary Innovation Grants: A $200,000 grant program to help small restaurants launch farm‑to‑table concepts.
• Entertainment Tax Relief: A temporary reduction in the entertainment tax for small venues to foster local arts.

The article quotes a local resident, Jared Smith, a third‑generation seafood fisherman, who says, “We’ve always taken care of this place. I think the county’s new initiatives balance progress with our heritage.”

5. A Look at the Numbers

The piece spends a considerable amount of space on the economic data that backs up the narrative. A table in the article lists key statistics for Lee County over the past decade:

These numbers help illustrate the steady upward trend in tourism, hospitality, and entertainment, even in the face of the COVID‑19 pandemic’s challenges. The author uses these figures to support a conclusion that Lee County is on a “growth trajectory that is both resilient and sustainable.”

6. Final Takeaway

In essence, the Gulf Coast News feature argues that Lee County’s economic success is not a single‑dimensional beach vacation economy; it is an interconnected tapestry of natural beauty, culinary tradition, and entertainment diversity. By actively promoting its food scene, supporting small entertainment venues, and preserving its coastal heritage, the county is positioning itself as a forward‑thinking tourist destination that still respects its roots.

The article also encourages readers to explore the linked resources—particularly the Lee County Tourism Office website and the Lee County Chamber of Commerce page—to learn more about upcoming events, investment opportunities, and detailed economic reports. For anyone interested in visiting or investing in Lee County, the Gulf Coast News Now piece offers a well‑rounded, data‑backed overview that is as informative as it is engaging.

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