McMaster’s I-73 announcement helps advance Horry Council funding plan
Gov. Henry McMaster’s announcement in Myrtle Beach on funding initial construction of the Southern leg of Interstate 73 is a proposal for state legislators, but the governor surely helped advance a financing plan in the Horry County Council.
The long sought highway from I-95 to S.C. 22 at Aynor is the Grand Strand’s link to the nation’s Interstate Highway System and important in three ways: 1. a hurricane evacuation route; 2. an easier drive for tourists; 3. future economic development other than tourism.
The $1.6 billion project is itself a massive economic boost for the region and the state. It involves federal, state and local money, the latter including commitments from Horry County and the municipal governments in the county.
Days prior to McMaster’s announcement at the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, the administrative committee of Horry County Council delayed voting on an I-73 financing plan because the county wanted more detail on funding plans of Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach.
SHOW THE MONEY
That’s been typical of the sometimes delicate nature of county and municipal government cooperation. City officials want the county to play its cards first; county officials insist the cities go first. Some elected officials say, in effect, let the federal government come up with its share, then we’ll see what we can do.
After the governor’s announcement, the county council’s administrative committee set a special meeting at which committee members voted unanimously to send the I-73 funding plan to the full council. Approximately $4.2 million from the hospitality fee (1.5 % tax on hotel, restaurant and event charges) will be set aside for 30 years.
Credit the administration committee (Johnny Vaught, chairman, Harold Worley, Tyler Servant, Gary Loftus) for advancing the I-73 plan. The local ball, so to speak, is now in the court of the cities. The mayors of Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach, at McMaster’s announcement, said the cities are committed and working on a financing plan
LEGISLATIVE PROCESS
The state portion of the financing will be a budget issue next year. McMaster’s recommendation to allocate $300 million from federal covid relief money will not sail easily through the legislative process. State Sen. Thomas Alexander of Oconee, chairman of the Senate Finance Subcommittee, said McMaster’s recommendation will be considered along with other requests.
On the same day as McMaster’s announcement, state Rep. William Bailey of Little River termed the governor “irresponsible” for proposing use of Covid relief funds for highways while the state is still in the pandemic. Bailey acknowledged the importance of I-73. He also noted upgrades are needed on local roads, a point made by a Coastal Conservation League spokesman at the county administrative meeting.
At the McMaster conference, county council member Orton Bellamy spoke about plans on improving other roads. In other words, state and county plans do not ignore other roads. The county approved Highway 90 improvements when it put off the vote on I-73 financing.
EXPECT PUSH BACK
The CLC has long opposed construction of I-73, most recently challenging in U.S. District Court environmental permits. They were upheld.
Upstate legislator Gilda Cobb-Hunter (Orangeburg Democrat) opposes COVID-19 money for I-73, but she supports the same funds to widen I-26. Widening an existing highway trumps constructing a new one, and never mind the public health and safety factors in the latter project but cite them in the former.
A public opinion survey commissioned by the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce confirms a good margin of support for I-73, especially when respondents know of the safety and economic benefits. It’s doubtful the folks who support I-73 care about the source of the funding.
The challenge ahead will be to convince a majority of legislators of the need to construct I-73.