Expansion
of Myrtle Beach International Airport
Horry
County is proceeding with a planned expansion of the
current airport. A new terminal will be added on the
east side of the runway, next to the existing terminal.
Much of the funds needed to complete this project will
come from cash reserves accumulated from prior operations
and PFCs (passenger facility charges). Federal funding
through the FAA will be needed to complete this project.
Expansion
of the Myrtle Beach Convention Center
The
convention center, built in the mid-1990’s, is
approaching capacity. Additional exhibit space and meeting
space is needed. The State of South Carolina provided
an initial allotment in 2006 to enable the city to purchase
adjacent land needed for this expansion. The city intends
to proceed with expansion of the facility in the near
future but funds are not currently available. Funding
from the stimulus package could be used to begin sitework
and construction of the expansion.
Deep
Water Ocean Outfalls
Our
coastal communities have made great strides in building
additional oceanfront infrastructure, commonly known
as ocean outfalls or “pipes off the beach”.
These large pipes lay at the bottom of the ocean floor
and allow for storm water runoff to be directed away
from the coast. This enhances the measured quality of
our ocean water and removes the need for outfalls on
the beach. Much progress has been made but additional
outfalls pipes are needed.
Local
Roads
There
are many local road needs, due in large part to the
fast-growing population of the Grand Strand. Areas like
Carolina Forest and the South Strand have seen double-digit
population growth in recent years, creating the need
for additional roads and highways. Other roads, like
Harrelson Boulevard, have long been identified but remain
unfunded. While I-73 will provide an important access
point to and from the Grand Strand, there are many local
road needs that could be funded through the economic
stimulus package.
