Local municipalities have project 'wish list' for incoming administration

Horry County Council Chairman Liz Gilland said they can do a lot of projects on their own, but a lot they can't and she thinks federal money will be more available now, than ever before.

By: Thema Ponton | SCNow
Published: November 25, 2008

Local municipalities hope to be part of President-elect Barack Obama’s economic recovery plan.

Horry County council chair, Liz Gilland said the more she hears about the President-elect’s plans for revitalizing the economy, the more she thinks it will be a public works program with an emphasis on transportation.

Gilland said, "Those that are ready to go and spend the money will be at the top of the list, because they don't want to take years to see this happening.” Gilland said the county already has projects ready to go, including a new terminal at the Myrtle Beach International Airport, a 400-acre aeronautical park, the Southern Evacuation Lifeline (SELL) that connects the southern part of the county across the Waccamaw River and I-73.

"We've got another transportation related industrial park that is water-related that we have in the plans, we've got perhaps light rail, moving passengers, we have bus service, we have a huge amount of things that are ready for an infusion of funds." Gilland said getting the money is critical. "I think we'll get the money, we might not get all we ask for, but we're going to ask for the moon and if we just get a couple of stars, we'll be looking good." said Gilland.

Projects are also in the works in Myrtle Beach.

Public Information Officer Mark Kruea said those projects include $70 million for deep water ocean outfalls for storm water management, which Kruea said basically means removing storm water pipes from the beach, and plans to expand the Myrtle Beach Convention Center, $20 million for 100,000 square feet of exhibit hall space.

"We've been working back and forth with Washington, we've got a lobbying firm that has helped some with that and I-73 is thrown in that mix too, so it all depends upon how much pull, how much need there is for this area to get those projects." said Kruea.

He adds that $18 million for storm water management has been authorized, but it’s not in the budget yet. He says getting the money for the project is important because they are tied to the basic economy of Myrtle Beach and making things better here. Kruea said, "The projects will not happen as quickly is we do not get that money, they might not happen at all, but they certainly wouldn't happen as quickly."

Gilland said a team of about 150 people will be heading to Washington D.C. at the end of January to swamp Capitol Hill and let it be known that the area is ready, the projects are ready, all they need is the money.