Press Release: YMCA of Coastal Carolina to Expand Programs to Conway and The Market Common 

YMCA of Coastal Carolina to Expand to Conway and The Market Common 

The YMCA of Coastal Carolina secures state funding to expand programs into Conway and The Market Common 

Myrtle Beach, July 11, 2024 – The YMCA of Coastal Carolina is thrilled to announce it will receive significant funding from the state of South Carolina to support expansion of YMCA programs into Conway and The Market Common. Horry Georgetown Technical College is donating office space on each campus to support this expansion. This generous allocation from the state budget and partnership with HGTC underscores the vital role that the YMCA plays in promoting community health, youth development, and wellness. 

The funding and partnership will enable the YMCA of Coastal Carolina to enhance current offerings and introduce new initiatives aimed at serving a broader segment of Horry County. The YMCA will hire a director for each location to begin building partnerships, secure locations to run programs, and start programming this fall.  

“We are incredibly grateful for the state’s support and recognition of the YMCA’s impact on community health and youth development,” said David Byrd, CEO of the YMCA of Coastal Carolina. “Our partnership with HGTC and this funding will allow us to offer more services, reach more families, and make a larger impact in our Grand Strand community. As we continue to grow, our vision is to ensure all in our community have better access to mental health programs, healthy living opportunities, childcare options, out-of-school support, and water safety programs.”

Horry Georgetown Technical College will provide office space for each of the new site directors, in addition to partnering to bring new iniatives around workforce development and community health programs to the Grand Strand community.

Dr. Marilyn Fore shares, “Horry Georgetown Technical College is pleased to partner with the YMCA assisting in its valuable services to our communities.  The “Y” has a longstanding history of serving others throughout our country.  And now we can help with its footprint in Conway and Myrtle Beach to further support their worthy legacy.  

Hatton Gravely, Chief Development Officer for the YMCA of Coastal Carolina added, “We extend our deepest thanks to Representative Case Brittain and the entire Horry County Legislative Delegation for their dedication and advocacy. Their support was crucial in securing this funding. In addition, our partnership with HGTC will be critical in how we work together with community partners to improve college and career readiness for teens, ensure all in our community are safe around water, make quality childcare affordable for parents who want to work, launch early childhood development programs, and expand our healthy living programs to reach more in the community.”