Tag: Horry County

Prosser Addresses Energy Needs

The unseasonably warm winter in the Pee Dee and Grand Strand makes the wait for summer seem that much shorter. But with gas prices spiking, summer could mean less trips to the beach and fewer vacations for many American families.

As director of South Carolina Parks, Recreation and Tourism for eight years, I closely monitored the impact of gas prices on visitor spending. Even when families are able to take their cherished summer beach vacation, the bite that higher gas prices takes from their wallets curtails spending on restaurants, attractions and souvenirs, and often shortens their trip.

In addition to the direct impact on tourism, higher gas prices also ripple through the economy increasing the costs for businesses, including our critical distribution centers in the area. These higher costs are passed through to cash-strapped consumers in the form of higher prices.

Arrogance and Confusion, but a Victory for Bike Vendors

In what can only be called an arrogant abuse of parliamentary procedure, Horry County Council chairman Tom Rice called a five minute break, in the midst of debating an ordinance on the floor, because voting on amendments to the ordinance didn’t go his way.

This blatant lack of respect for the elected body he serves and abuse of power as chairman came during council’s regular meeting Tuesday night, but did not produce the result Rice hoped for.

The ordinance, of course, was about reducing the number of permit days for vendor and special event permits from the current seven days to five days. The ordinance, if passed as originally written, would have directly affected the Harley Davidson bike rally and the local small businesses that depend on it for revenue.

Chad Prosser Signs Contract and Pledge

Yesterday Chad Prosser, candidate for the Republican nomination in South Carolina’s new 7th Congressional District, signed the ‘Contract from America’ and the ‘Obamacare Repeal Pledge.’ These pledges bind the signer to fighting for limited government, economic freedom and the repeal of Obamacare.

The ‘Contract from America’ is a document that was generated by conservative grassroots activists across the nation and designed to bind candidates for office to upholding limited government and economic freedom. The ‘Obamacare Repeal Pledge’ binds signers to endorse and vote for all measures in the next Congress leading to the defunding, deauthorization, and repeal of Obamacare. The Repeal Pledge is a project of both Independent Women’s Voice and American Majority Action.

Prosser Added to NRCC ‘Young Guns’ Program

– The National Republican Congressional Committee named former Sanford Cabinet member Chad Prosser to ‘On the Radar’ status with the National Republican Congressional Committee’s Young Guns program in South Carolina’s new 7th Congressional District. Prosser rose to this level in less than one month of campaigning, an impressive feat showing the momentum his campaign has generated.

In only a few weeks since announcing his candidacy, Chad Prosser has established a district wide network of financial supporters, which will ensure that Chad has the resources necessary to communicate his message to voters across the district. “The NRCC’s Young Guns program is a great program that supports candidates to ensure that the best Republican candidate makes it through to the general election,” said Prosser. “I am honored to be included in this program, a step that further validates the momentum we have generated less than a month into this race.”

Keetowa Indians Take Second Look at Casino

An Indian tribe that considered building a casino in Horry County several years ago is now looking at a location in Hardeeville, S.C. for the state’s first full gambling casino.

The United Keetowa Band of Cherokee Indians is planning to build a large gambling and entertainment complex just off Interstate 280 in Jasper County near Hardeeville, according to a report by the Associated Press news service. The complex would include a 400 room hotel, gambling casino and 2,500 seat event center.

According to the report, the Hardeeville City Council approved a resolution Thursday night to move forward with the project.

Harwell Exits 7th District Race

By Paul Gable
Grand Strand Daily has learned that Myrtle Beach business woman Debbie Harwell will announce later this afternoon that she is withdrawing as a candidate for the new 7th Congressional District seat.

Harwell, considered to be one of the strongest candidates in the field due to name recognition, organization and contacts throughout the new district, is withdrawing due to family medical issues.

Her husband, former S.C. Supreme Court Judge David Harwell (79), was hospitalized in December for several serious medical conditions.

“It is with great regret that I must remove my name from consideration as a candidate in the 7th Congressional District race,” said Harwell in a statement.

Horry County Announces Economic Incentives to AvCraft Again

Accompanied by glowing pronouncements from state and some local officials, AvCraft Technical Services, Inc. received a second round of incentives from Horry County and the state with the promise to create 150 new jobs over the next three years.

“AvCraft’s decision to expand their workforce by 150 employees is a tremendous testimony of our attractiveness as an aviation destination. I am thankful for the company’s commitment to Horry County and proud of our economic development team for this terrific announcement,” said Tom Rice, chairman of the Horry County Council.

“It’s another great day in South Carolina, and we are going to celebrate AvCraft’s decision to expand and create 150 new jobs in Horry County. Bringing jobs and investment to our state continues to be a top priority of this administration, and we will build on this year’s success in 2012,” said Gov. Nikki Haley.

County, Railroad Left Out of Grant Awards

Horry County learned today that it would not be receiving any Tiger III program grant money from the U.S. Department of Transportation for the local railroad.

The county had applied for a $21 million grant from the program to help Carolina Southern Railroad upgrade its infrastructure.

According to information from the USDOT, $511 million was approved for grants today with $150 million for critical projects in rural areas. Ten percent of the total was approved for freight rail projects including the Muldraugh Bridge Replacement project in Kentucky.

Political Profile – Andrew Preston Brittain

Andrew Preston Brittain (pictured here with wife Elizabeth) took his first step into the political arena last week when he addressed the Beach Dems Breakfast meeting in Myrtle Beach.

Brittain said he was a candidate for the new S.C. 7th Congressional District and would begin his campaign in earnest early in January.

A native of Myrtle Beach, the 31-year old Brittain is a graduate of Myrtle Beach High School, Wofford College and the University of South Carolina Law School. He is currently a trial attorney in Myrtle Beachafter serving as a clerk for U.S. District Court Judge Terry Wooten.

Horry County and Dubai

Remember when, then, Horry County Council Chairman Liz
Gilland used a portion of her county expense allowance to travel to Dubai, in March 2009?

According to Gilland, at the time, she spent $2,000
of public funds to join a S.C. Department of Commerce economic development trip to make sure Horry County got consideration in future investment by that small Arab state. Her justification was “If I don’t play, we strike out.” Gilland played but Horry County, to this date, has not even gotten up to bat.

The following is a blog post provided to Grand
Strand Daily from a U.S. citizen recently traveling in Dubai, who requested to remain anonymous. It appears Horry County was fortunate to never get into the game.