Posted on Fri, Dec. 22, 2006

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STRAND TOURISM

Sanford to seek funds for airport

$15 million request in governor's plans

By Zane Wilson

The Sun News

Gov. Mark Sanford said Thursday he will put $10 million in his budget request this year for the Myrtle Beach airport expansion and $5 million more in 2008.

Though it will have to make it through the legislative process, the likelihood of state money coming to the project was hailed as good news by supporters.

"Yayyyy!" said Horry County Council Chairwoman Liz Gilland. "I'm thrilled; we've had a couple of good weeks for the airport."

After months of waiting, the county found out last week what its final construction price will be for the 14-gate terminal. The price is just under $183 million and within the projected budget for the project.

"We are thrilled to see Gov. Sanford make this a priority in his executive budget," said Brad Dean, president of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.

Dean said investing in Horry County's infrastructure is prudent for the state because projects such as the airport will pay for themselves through increased tourism revenue and related tax collections.

Sanford said the terminal is aimed at boosting the area to a national and international vacation destination.

"Tourism is our state's No. 1 economic driver, and the crown jewel of our tourism economy is the Grand Strand," Sanford said in his announcement.

Tourism brings more than $14 billion a year in business to the state from 13 million tourists. Horry County leads in tourism with 38 percent of related revenues.

The complete airport project calls for about $229 million. The project has already received $43 million in federal money. The rest will come from money generated by the airport itself, not from general taxpayer funds.

Gilland said Sanford pledged the money to the county over the summer when the council was wrangling over whether to go forward with the project because cost estimates were rising above the amount that was expected to be available to spend.

"I never doubted that he would follow though on it," she said.

In his news release, Sanford said he was persuaded that a larger airport is needed to help the largest sector of the state's economy grow.

"In talking to friends on the coast like Howard Barnard on County Council, it's become very clear that we need this airport expansion not only to meet existing demand for travel, but also to ensure the Grand Strand's role as the state's No. 1 destination for many years to come," Sanford said.

Barnard said he made a presentation about the airport to the governor when he visited Myrtle Beach in the spring. The county asked Sanford for $15 million for the airport at that time.

"We thought that was a fair request of the state," considering the amount the county and federal government are pitching in, Barnard said.

"We did not put any pressure on the governor to do that, he did that completely on his own, but it is a wonderful Christmas present for the county," he said.

Barnard acknowledged that to get the proposal through the House and Senate budget debate and back to the governor's desk for signing "will take continued support of our delegation," but he said the county believes it has that support.

House Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, who owns a condo in Surfside Beach, said he is familiar with the airport plan and supports the governor's request.

"I'm very pleased the governor has recognized the need to make sure this airport becomes a reality," Harrell said. "Myrtle Beach is critical to the state's economy, and this airport is needed to make sure that remains strong."

First, the airport must cross its final local hurdle, Gilland said.

On Jan. 9, the council will hold a workshop on the airport and funding, and a vote will be taken Jan. 16 on whether to go forward, Gilland said.

She said she is not certain of the outcome because some council members oppose the expansion for various reasons.

"If it's 'yes,' then we'll roll on the 17th," Gilland said.