U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham stopped in Myrtle Beach on Monday to charge local governments with solving their own education problems and drum up support for Myrtle Beach improvements that could benefit the state.

Graham, R-Seneca, spoke at the annual conference of the S.C. Association of Regional Councils, where mayors and other local government representatives from across the state discussed growth, economic development and tourism.

Graham reiterated his global vision for the area.

"We're going to build a world trade center in Myrtle Beach; we're going to build a new airport out here," he said. "We need business outside of the Southeast if we're going to make it work."

Although proponents of a trade center had pushed for $1 million, Graham said $100,000 had been secured in federal funds.

"It's a stamp of approval from the federal government," he said.

Because this is the first time the federal government set money aside for the trade-center project, Graham said the plans now can make progress.

"Once funding begins, it's possible to quickly accumulate the funds," he said.

Graham said the trade center, Interstate 73 and a new airport were essential for that globalism, all ideas local governments have been discussing for years.

Local governments, including Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach, also have said beach-renourishment funds are essential to the area, but the Senate did not appropriate those funds in the budget it passed this weekend.

Graham said beach-renourishment funds were not as much a priority for Horry County as stormwater management, for which the county will get $100,000. He said Congress members have to focus on national issues such as the war in Iraq and Social Security.

"It's a matter of the federal government being broke," he said. "Don't lose sight that my job is more than just in and out checks."

The National Association of Development Organizations gave Graham a Congress Partnership Award for his work with local governments.

Graham said he tried as a federal lawmaker to avoid passing legislation that binds local governments.

"When I pass a federal mandate that you have to comply with at the local level, I take away your discretion," he said. "My goal is to give you more flexibility and more resources for your future."

Graham said S.C. government needs to reform funding for school systems, which is derived from property taxes. That hurts poor, rural and predominantly black communities, Graham said.

Parents in eight counties are suing to change that system, and Graham said he supports them.

"If I lived in one of those eight counties, ... I would sue too because the property tax system will always have a flaw," Graham said. "I will fight to get you more money, but I insist on reform."