Horizon 2010: What they're saying. Quotes from community officials on the recovery

"We're talking about getting back to normal. The boom times were not normal. We need to lower our expectations."

Myrtle Beach City Manager Tom Leath

"At the very best, we can hope to maintain what we have."

Georgetown County Administrator Sel Hemingway

"It might be just a slight improvement, but I think we will take it."

Cathy Altman, president of the Brunswick County, N.C., Chamber of Commerce

"I think it's just going to be a slow, uphill climb the rest of the year to get back to the levels of a balanced market."

Alex Holbert, president of the Coastal Carolinas Association of Realtors

"Most businesses and industries will no doubt continue to face economic challenges in 2010, but if we can gain market share, our tourism industry could well be the bright spot in South Carolina's economy and help lead the state out of this recession."

Brad Dean, president and CEO of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce

"The average business is still going to be struggling this year, and if that's the case, they're not going to be willing to hire workers."

Don Schunk, research economist at Coastal Carolina University

"I think the economy is hurting just about everywhere we look in some respect or another."

Horry County Council Chairwoman Liz Gilland