As City of Myrtle Beach voters go to the polls this November, it is critical to know the history of how the city dug a $300 million debt hole.

Ann Dunham, Myrtle Beach business woman, states: Just got email from North Myrtle Beach. Their debt 6/30/25 end of fiscal year = $35,630,886 ($35 million).

Myrtle Beach is $336,597,053 which is a shocking $300 MILLION more for Myrtle Beach than North Myrtle Beach. I posted in FB and next door. You can quote me. These are the unaudited numbers directly from the cities.

Big Government Mark started us down the $300 million debt hole

Mark McBride started the debt debacle in the late 1990s. Big Government Mark, pushed the city into buying a Myrtle Beach Hotel and Convention Center. Why is the City of Myrtle Beach in the Hotel business? That can be answered with two words, Mark McBride.

$300 million debt hole contributor: Costs for initial construction and major expansions

• Original Facility: The initial Myrtle Beach Convention Center was built at a cost of $1.12 million.
• 1993–1994 Expansion: The center was expanded costing millions , though the break down in the costs of this project have not been itemized.
• Sheraton Hotel (2003): When the attached Sheraton Myrtle Beach hotel opened, the city provided a loan program to the facility. An article from 2008 shows the city contributing $4.3 million over three years, less than the originally planned $5 million.
• Indoor Sports Facility (2013): A $12.4 million indoor sports facility, now known as the John T. Rhodes Sports Center, was added to the complex. 

Recent and proposed funding add to the 0 million debt hole

• 2023–2024 Budget: The city allocated funds for “repairs and improvements” at the Convention Center.
• 2024 Proposed Bond: The city council failed to pass an ordinance that would have allocated $20 million from an $81 million bond toward convention center renovations, which would have included replacing exterior glass windows.

The Hotel and Convention Center is a cost passed along from Big Government Mark that keeps on costing.

Pelicans Baseball another component of the $300 million debt hole

Big Government Mark got the city into the baseball business. Pelicans Baseball has also been a loser since day one.

This year, the city of Myrtle Beach is responsible for paying the full cost of required Major League Baseball (MLB) upgrades to Pelicans Ballpark, an estimated $20 million, and an additional $15.7 million for repairs and maintenance, totaling approximately $35.7 million, funded by a combination of hospitality taxes, accommodations fees, and city debt.

The baseball lease with the Pelicans is so detrimental financially that Horry County handed over its 30% stake in their part of the team.

The Downtown Redevelopment Corporation

During his time in office, Big Government Mark proposed yet another poor initiative. He established the Downtown Redevelopment Corporation, which ultimately cost the city $20 million in parking fee taxes and drove away many downtown business owners through dubious methods.

BIG MARK’S NEWEST IDEA? STICK THE CITY TAXPAYERS WITH THE LARGEST PIER IN AMERICA

In a recent livestream to his followers, McBride stated he wants to build the largest Pier in America in Myrtle Beach only adding to the $300 million debt hole.

The current  largest pier in America is the Ocean Beach Pier. What was that city’s construction costs?

Ocean Beach Pier (San Diego): The longest concrete pier in the world. Its current estimated replacement cost is up to $190 million. 

Re-Elect Big Government Mark and add $190 million to the $300 million debt hole.

BIG GOVERNMENT BRENDA IS BIG GOVERNMENT MARK ON STEROIDS

Brenda decided to shut down McBride’s DRC due to its continuous negative publicity and questionable practices.

Bethune replaced the DRC with the Arts and Innovation District.

Bethune created the Arts and Innovation District and significantly engaged the city in the real estate sector. Her administration has allocated over $100 million of taxpayer funds to acquire downtown properties, including the Coastal Carolina Theatre, with plans to transfer it to Coastal Carolina University control using resources from city residents.

Myrtle Beach’s new Coastal Carolina Theatre will have approximately 300 seats. What’s more, the city is gifting the lease to the University at city taxpayer costs adding to the $300 million debt hole.

The Brenda Bethune Administration purchased $100 million in private land at city taxpayer expenses between the square that includes from Ocean Boulevard to 7th Avenue North to Kings Highway, back north to 8 Avenue North and east to Ocean Boulevard.

The Bethune Administration just extended the lease of the Pelicans Baseball Stadium. City Taxpayers are paying $20 million in new debt as a pledge to the team.

Per the City of Myrtle Beach website:

Here are highlights of the new lease terms:

1. This new lease ends 30 days after the 2055 baseball season.
2. 30-year lease; $750,000 annual rent for the first ten years; $850,000 in years 11–20; $950,000 in years 21–30.
3. The stadium is owned: 100% by Myrtle Beach.
4. The first lease was signed in 1998. It expired in 2018 and has been mutually extended several times by the city and Horry County.
5. The tenant (Pelicans) is responsible for aesthetic maintenance, including the field, furnishings, lighting fixtures and routine aesthetic upkeep.
6. The landlord (Myrtle Beach) is responsible for structural maintenance.
7. All Professional Development League (PDL) requirements by Major League Baseball, at an estimated cost of $20 million, will be covered by the City of Myrtle Beach.
   1. Any costs over $20 million are the team’s responsibility.
   2. An itemized list of improvements and repair and maintenance responsibilities is included in the Lease as “Exhibit C” and “Exhibit E,” respectively.
   3. PDL requirement-related construction should begin after the 2025 baseball season.
8. As part of a long-term reimbursement plan, the tenant will collect and pay the city a per ticket fee.
   1. Non-tenant events:
      1. Years 1-5 $2.00; Years 6-10 $2.50; Years 11-30 $3.00
   2. Tenant home games:
      1. Years 1-5 $0; Years 6-10 $1.00; Years 11-15 $1.50; Years 16-30 $2.00

The new lease adds $20 million to the $300 million debt hole.

Re-elect Brenda Bethune and continue digging the $300 million debt hole deeper.

We ask Myrtle Beach voters. Is this former Big Government Mayor McBride, and current Big Government Mayor Bethune, Mayors or Nightmares?

You decide. We can put an end to this $300 million debt hole in November if we decide.

The municipal election for the City of Myrtle Beach will be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. Voters will elect a mayor and three city council members to serve four-year terms.