Grand Strand, Pee Dee schools win state support for expansion, relocation projects

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — State leaders on Tuesday backed requests by a trio of Grand Strand and Pee Dee colleges and universities for financial aid to help build out their campuses.

Coastal Carolina University, Francis Marion University and Horry-Georgetown Technical College combined are in line for more than $44 million following a Joint Bond Review Committee hearing.

CCU looking to relocate track and field facility

CCU plans to create an athletics district on the eastern end of its campus, moving its current track-and-field facility to join its beach volleyball, soccer and tennis complexes. The relocation is necessary to accommodate the university’s indoor practice site taking shape across from Brooks Stadium.

Lawmakers approved using $1.02 million from state auxiliary reserve funds generated from food service, vending and bookstore commissions for property acquisition costs. CCU is buying the acreage, appraised in January at $1.87 million, from the CCU Student Housing Foundation.

“If the property is acquired, a new track and field facility will be constructed as part of a separate project for an estimated cost of $3 million. No student feeds or tuition will be increased as a consequence,” a summary included on Tuesday’s agenda says.

Francis Marion University’s $39 million future

The Florence-area institution in the midst of a major construction spree, with a pair of multi-million dollar buildings expected to open in the summer of 2026.

First, an $18 million forestry research and classroom facility is planned directly across from its main East Palmetto Street campus.

“Having a dedicated space tailored for Environmental Sciences and Forestry program will
enhance instruction and experiential opportunities in the curriculums. Developing these
programs at the university will help meet state, regional, and local workforce needs in these
areas,” a summary of the project says. The proximity of where the building will be constructed to DNR will allow the university to expand many of the cooperative programs currently in place between the two entities.”

Once complete, the complex will house programs in environmental sciences and environmental, veterinary and geological studies along with a forestry programs. Officials say roughly 250 students, faculty and staff are expected to use the building, which has an expected opening date in June 2026.

Funds for the project are coming from a fiscal year 2023 budget proviso and capital reserves.

Then in July, a $21 million medical education facility is projected to be finished in what was once the Circle Park Behavioral Health Center.

FMU is partnering with the Medical University of South Carolina and University of South Carolina to create the Pee Dee Medical and Health Education Consortium — a nonprofit dedicated to expanding the industry’s workforce.

The 53,000-square-foot building will be used for maintenance, instruction and administration purposes. Lawmakers in 2022 approved a budget allocation to cover construction costs.

Horry-Georgetown Technical College adding state-of-the-art training facility

HGTC in September secured the largest grant in its history , pulling in $8 million from the federal Economic Development Administration to finance construction of a 27,000-square-foot marine technology center.

That money will be complemented by $6 million from this year’s budget.

“The college’s boat building program is the only program of its kind in the state and there is a consistent waiting list for students seeking access to the marine motor program, per the college. The college currently has a waiting list of students for the programs that will be housed in the
new facility,” a project summary says.

Construction is expected to begin in July 2025 with a December 2026 completion date.

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Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12 . See more of his work here .

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