The information in our study covers the Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, N.C., Metropolitan Statistical Area.
In each community, the Knight Soul of the Community study identified factors that emotionally attach residents to where they live
The purpose of Knight Soul of the Community is to provide communities a roadmap for understanding what attaches residents to their community and why it matters – not to be prescriptive on what communities should do with the information. However, the findings do point to some general implications and suggestions, some of which the community may be already undertaking, or provide new opportunities for consideration.
From The Christian Science Monitor:
If you sometimes stop and wonder why you donate to your local school’s annual fundraiser, help plant trees on your town’s main drag or offer free hot cocoa at every street fair, the answer is because you're either very generous or you know what's good for your local economy.
In addition to publishing thoughts from our program directors in the 26 Knight communities, we’re also reaching out to other local civic leaders. These remarks come from an email interview with Brad Dean, President and CEO of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.
What jumped out at you from the results of the study?
Grand Strand residents are extremely concerned about the economy, but it doesn't change how they feel about their community, a study released today shows.
Unemployment is the top concern, according to The Soul of the Community study by the Knight Foundation and Gallup polling. The project attempts over three consecutive years of surveys to show how attached people are to their communities and what binds them.
Myrtle Beach area residents are a little less attached to the place than those surveyed last year, but still far more attached than people in the other 25 cities surveyed.
Great schools, affordable health care and safe streets all help create strong communities. But is there something deeper that draws people to a city – that makes them want to put down roots and build a life?