Regional airport plan misses out on funding

Myrtle Beach Online

March 12, 2008

Area lawmakers tried unsuccessfully Wednesday to get $200,000 for location studies and property acquisition for a regional airport into the state budget.

Even though the proposed facility has been found unneeded by state and federal air agencies, lawmakers from the Pee Dee Region said they believe an upcoming study on the regional airport will support the plan.

'I believe it is much needed, I believe the report is favorable,' said Rep. Lester Branham, D-Lake City, as the House finalized its version of the budget during floor debate.

The proposal, sponsored by Rep. Tracy Edge, R-North Myrtle Beach, would have ordered the money to be taken from the Commerce Department's economic development funds, and would not have deprived another allocation. The proposal fell 63-36.

'I thought we were going to get it,' Edge said later. It seemed during the debate that members were in favor, but sentiment turned after some questioned whether Commerce should be ordered to spend money in a certain way.

Rep. David Umphlett, R-Moncks Corner, asked whether supporters had asked the state Aeronautics Commission for the money.

'That's their job,' he said.

'I think they would probably oppose a $200,000 designation within their budget,' said Rep. Doug Jennings, D-Bennettsville, a supporter of the airport.

The Aeronautics Commission's draft report of its 20-year service plan says there is no evidence a new airport is needed in the region that includes Myrtle Beach and Florence.

The Federal Aviation Agency's long-range plan also finds no need for additional capacity in the region.

Rep. Adam Taylor, R-Laurens, said most money in Commerce's budget is committed and taking it for the airport could deprive other projects.

Local lawmakers also argued for the need for a larger airport for international flights. Rep. Liston Barfield, R-Aynor, said the state needs to attract more international flights, and they need two runways, which neither Myrtle Beach nor Florence have.

'That is one of the driving forces behind the regional airport concept,' Edge said.

Rep. Chip Limehouse, R-Charleston, said the Charleston airport has two runways and the international flights could come there instead.

Edge said Sen. Yancey McGill, D-Kingstree, asked him to sponsor the allocation and that McGill and other Senate supporters were surprised it was defeated.

Even if state and federal agencies see no need for the airport at this time, the idea should be studied for the time it is needed, Edge said.

'At the rate things are growing in our area, we're often accused of not planning ahead,' and snagging money for the airport was a move to plan for the future, he said.

The feasibility study on the regional airport concept is to be presented March 28 in Florence. It will not have recommendations, but is to provide information that officials can use to make decisions.

In other budget action, lawmakers beat back an attempt to take $1 million for Loris Community Hospital's new facility and give it to an anti-gang program. The measure was defeated 72-29.

The House gave second reading to the budget bill Wednesday night, and will give a routine third reading today. All local allocations stayed in place, including $1 million for Interstate 73/74.

'We really did pretty good,' considering the economy, Edge said. But he said he regretted that higher education funds were cut, especially the health education programs at Horry-Georgetown Technical College.

In other legislative action Wednesday, Sen. Luke Rankin, R-Myrtle Beach, continued his filibuster against a bill ending recognition of common-law marriage. He spoke for about two hours, then senators voted to postpone any further discussion of the issue until Wednesday so they can take up other business.

Copyright © 2008 Myrtle Beach Online, All Rights Reserved.