Senate gives approval to trade center bill

COLUMBIA - A bill that offers up to $7 million in state bond money for an international trade center in Myrtle Beach passed the state Senate 39-5 Tuesday.

The House passed the measure 96-15 last week. It is just one part of a massive economic development bill that includes up to $500 million in bonds for college research projects that foster industry.

"This is a big vote of confidence in Myrtle Beach and our importance to the state economy," said Shep Guyton, chairman of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. "It gives us the momentum to move forward."

The chamber is leading the effort to create the center, which political and tourism leaders see as a way to bring in more visitors and fill more rooms, thereby creating more jobs.

Chad Prosser, director of the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, said the trade center is an important project for the state.

"To see money appropriated for the project this early in the project is encouraging," Prosser said.

That shows the state recognizes the importance of tourism in the economy and that it is as important to invest in tourism infrastructure as in other industries' infrastructures, he said.

"This probably will be the most far-reaching legislation we do this year" other than the state budget because it will help create jobs, said Sen. Hugh Leatherman, R-Florence.

Leatherman inserted the trade center provision in the bill as it was under negotiation by members of the House and Senate. That means the trade center and a few other items in the bill were not debated in committees or on the floor of either house.

Those were the main objections of people who voted against the measure.

Sen. Greg Ryberg, R-Aiken, called the additions "a number of Christmas tree bulbs" thrown in for decoration.

The bill now goes to Gov. Mark Sanford, who has threatened to veto it because it authorizes expansion of University of South Carolina at Sumter. The governor's position has not changed, said Will Folks, his spokesman.

The margin of approval in both the Senate and House shows the bill has enough support to draw the two-thirds majority needed to override a veto, Leatherman said.

The trade center could cost $100 million and is proposed for part of the site that will be vacated by Myrtle Square Mall, across from the convention center on Oak Street.

To get the money, Myrtle Beach must show it has local, federal and private support.

The money is available for 18 months toward the land purchase. The center must have started construction within five years and be finished within 10 years, or the city will have to give the money back.

Guyton said details of how paying for the project are still being studied. A feasibility report released last year said the trade center cannot be successful until the area has a higher visitor level.

Guyton said he thinks the effort toward the trade center can't wait.

Land is available now, and the community can't risk losing the opportunity, chamber spokesman Stephen Greene said.

It's up to the chamber and the community to get the project put together now, he said.

During his remarks on the Senate floor, Sen. Dick Elliott, D-North Myrtle Beach, said helping any industry in the state, whether it's tourism or textiles, helps the whole state.

"Tourism is helping lead the way for South Carolina to regain its economic strength,", he said.