The City of Myrtle Beach hired Benchmark Planning to work closely with City Council on the development of a Downtown Master Plan.  The Myrtle Beach area is currently ranked as the second fastest-growing metropolitan area in the country and is one of the major centers of tourism in the United States, attracting an estimated 18 million visitors each year.  Myrtle Beach was built on tourism, and while the City and the surrounding community has experienced unprecedented residential growth for a number of years, tourism is still at the core of the local economy.   Benchmark engaged local business owners, property owners, elected officials, leaders of various public agencies, SCDOT, city department heads and others in an extensive stakeholder input process, meeting with over 100 key stakeholders in listening sessions.  The master plan process included a day-long workshop that attracted over 400 residents. Benchmark is currently under contract to assist the city with the Master Plan implementation process.