CONWAY, SC (WBTW) – Horry County Council is not canceling a funding agreement with the state Department of Transportation.
Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to not take any action on the deal with SCDOT. Council threatened to possibly leave the deal, as Horry County tries to negotiate with cities and towns over hospitality tax revenue. Myrtle Beach is leading a lawsuit against the county over how that money is collected.
Three hotel owners spoke at Tuesday’s council meeting in support of the Interstate 73 project, which the county pledged to give $25 million per year towards as part of the deal.
“We want you to give it some time,” said Matthew Brittain, CEO of Brittain Resorts & Hotels. “Things don’t look great right now, but it’s too early to cut and run.”
“I realize that the county has needs,” said Ken McKelvey, CEO of Defender Resorts. “I realize the cities have needs, but it’s very, very clear that we need I-73 for the industry that we have and that’s built this county.”
Council member Johnny Vaught, who represents the Forestbrook area, says there’s no rush to cancel the deal just yet because council has until June 30 to approve any project in the deal.
One main priority could be getting South Carolina Highway 22, which is part of the proposed I-73 route, up to interstate standards.
“The flooding issue that was on 22 when it flooded out (after Hurricane Florence), look at what it would cost to raise it, what it would cost to put a bridge there,” Vaught said. “We’re going to make sure that the first monies that are spent, assuming we’re going ahead with it, are spent in Horry County on existing roads.”
Council will also direct whoever takes over as interim county administrator to continue vigorously defending the county against the hospitality tax lawsuit.
