Grant Center for Real Estate and Economic Development
NEWS RELEASE
July 10, 2017
Coastal Carolina University’s Grant Center for Real Estate and Economic Development Lends Support to Murrells Inlet on Intracoastal Multipurpose Path
Public, private partners come together to bring project to life
Conway, SC-- The Murrells Inlet Intracoastal Multipurpose Path is coming to fruition.
Led by a non-profit organization known as Murrells Inlet 2020, and comprised of community leaders and area businesses, the group surveyed the needs of area residents in 2015 and identified expanded bike and walking paths as a top priority.
“After coming up with the idea, we knew we needed research data supporting the economic benefits a path like this would have on our community,” said Linda Lane, Board Member. “We therefore consulted with Coastal Carolina University’s Grant Center for Real Estate and Economic Development in 2016 to determine the feasibility and economic value of the bike path construction.”
“What we learned supported the development of I21 for Murrells Inlet,” she said. “The Grant Center study revealed that, once completed, the path will provide a $1.2 million economic boost to the region, and property values within 500 feet of the proposed path will increase by approximately 5%.”
Destination Marketing Specialist, Patrick Mason, in addressing attendees at a recent meeting of the CCU Real Estate Club, presented research confirming that walking paths are a top priority of both local residents and those relocating to the coastal region.
“The path is all about connectivity for our community. It provides safe pedestrian and cycling access to work, recreation, ball fields, parks and to our waterways,” said Jeff Ciuba, MI2020 Board Member.
The multi-purpose path, known as I2I (Inlet to Intracoastal Waterway), has received significant funding from both Georgetown County and Tidelands Health.
Construction of Phase I is set to begin in early 2018. Earthworks, a Murrells Inlet engineering and environmental firm, will handle the design/build. Earthwork’s President, Steve Strickland, P.E.; LEED AP, sums up the vision for the construction, “We must always work to preserve the delicate balance between man and nature to achieve the best in both.”
About Murrells Inlet 2020
The Mission of Murrells Inlet 2020 is to promote the conservation of the natural environment while fostering local community and commerce. MI2020 is a non-profit organization formed in 1997 for the betterment of the Murrells Inlet community.
For their efforts to expand and improve bike and walking paths in response to residents’ demands, and for improving accessibility to the area’s natural amenities, MI2020 was the winner of Coastal Carolina University’s inaugural Real Estate Innovation Award presented during 2016’s Economic Growth and Real Estate Summit.
About the Grant Center for Real Estate and Economic Development,
Coastal Carolina University, South Carolina, USA.
The Grant Center for Real Estate and Economic Development serves students and professionals engaged in all facets of real estate and economic development and provides market analysis, study-based scholarships, networking opportunities, internships and technical study tours of international sites.
The Grant Center leverages the global ties of Coastal Carolina University and key partners, including students, alumni, faculty, staff and board members. It offers courses in commercial and investment real estate, publishes scholarly research and produces applied studies for stakeholders in the region. The center also hosts the annual real estate and economic summit and awards gala, provides seminar talks on a regular basis and consults for various private, government and nonprofit groups.
The key mission is to support the education of its students to the highest levels of competence and professionalism and to broaden the economic base of the region, serving as a bridge between Coastal Carolina University and the wider community.