$40 million for beach renourishment included in Gov. Haley’s proposed 2016-17 budget

Governor Nikki Haley announced her 2016-2017 executive budget on Friday afternoon, which includes millions of dollars for beach renourishment, something that local officials have been asking for since the storms in October.

The budget includes $40 million for the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism to initiate emergency beach nourishment projects that had significant erosion caused by the storm, according to a release from the governor's office.

Brad Dean, president and CEO of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, issued the following statement after Haley's budget announcement:

“We are very encouraged that Governor Haley's proposed budget includes funding for beachfront renourishment, a very important need for our state's economy and tourism infrastructure. In addition, we are pleased by Governor Haley's recommendation that PRT and Duane Parrish have oversight for working with beachfront tourism destinations impacted by Hurricane Joaquin to secure such assistance and support. Protecting our beach infrastructure is a top priority for our local and statewide tourism economy, and no one understands tourism better than PRT and Duane.

“We are also especially appreciative of our Horry County government officials' commitment to protect our coastline and our region's tourism industry. While our beaches were scheduled for upcoming renourishment efforts, Hurricane Joaquin further impacted our beach infrastructure. We applaud and thank our local government officials for working to expedite the planned beach renourishment so that the Myrtle Beach area will be best positioned for continued tourism growth in 2016 and beyond.”

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This story was originally published January 15, 2016 at 8:21 PM with the headline "$40 million for beach renourishment included in Gov. Haley’s proposed 2016-17 budget."