‘A very big deal’: Leaders break ground on massive data connection center in Myrtle Beach

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF) – A groundbreaking was held Tuesday morning for a new data connection center that could make Horry County a major player in the data industry.

Gov. Henry McMaster attended the groundbreaking of DC BLOX, which will be located at the Myrtle Beach International Technology and Aerospace Park near The Market Common.

PAST COVERAGE:

• New data connection center coming to Myrtle Beach
• Horry County leaders to further discuss proposed data connection center

The $31.5 million investment will spread across 21 acres, spanning more than 40,000 square feet and “will serve as the landing point for subsea optical communication cables.” Leaders said it will make Myrtle Beach the next global destination for internet and data companies.

“We’re building a building that houses computers that powers the internet and the cloud and most of the applications you find on your cellphones and other things,” said CEO Jeff Uphues.

Myrtle Beach Mayor Brenda Bethune said bringing this kind of facility to the Grand Strand has been years in the making.

“All of the efforts that have taken place over the last few years are going to be the result of Myrtle Beach being the home of the first subsea cable landing site in South Carolina. That is a very big deal,” Bethune said.

Horry County Council voted to approve the development in the area earlier this year.

Leaders said bringing projects like this to the Grand Strand could open the door for tech companies like Google to set up shop in Horry County.

On top of building the subsea cable landing station in Myrtle Beach, the company will build a 285-mile dark fiber route that will run from Myrtle Beach to Atlanta. The new fiber connection will link Myrtle Beach to the world.

And in the near future, DC BLOX will build eight other network facilities in South Carolina and Georgia that will allow the company to not only provide wireless services, but also broadband internet access to underserved communities.

“This is about Myrtle Beach. This is about Horry County. This is about the state of South Carolina, and upgrading the digital infrastructure that can power the 5.2 million residents that live in this great state, and we’re just one small part of it,” Uphues said.

The construction of the facility will be completed in phases. The first phase is expected to be completed by June 2023.

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