Inez Unveils Grand Strand Plan

TENENBAUM UNVEILS "PLAN FOR THE GRAND STRAND"

Tenenbaum's "Plan for the Grand Strand" can be viewed at: http://www.inez2004.com/grandstrand

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - Vowing to be a "voice for the coast in Congress," U.S. Senate candidate Inez Tenenbaum today unveiled her "Plan for the Grand Strand," a policy agenda aimed at helping create more jobs in the greater Myrtle Beach region. As part of that agenda, she vowed to put the construction of the proposed Interstate 73 "at the top of my to do list" as Senator, and promised to fight for the state's fair share of transportation dollars.

"Today I make this pledge: when I get to the Senate, the construction of I-73 will be my top roads priority for the state of South Carolina," Tenenbaum said. "And you can take that promise all the way to the beach."

On a visit today to Broadway at the Beach, a leading Grand Strand tourist destination, Tenenbaum was joined by local community leaders as she unveiled her plan. Tenenbaum said the Grand Strand has in many ways been a success story for the rest of the state, with 12 million visitors every year making tourism South Carolina's top engine of economic growth.

But Tenenbaum said that despite the good news, there are challenges on the horizon that could hold this region back if they're not addressed, such as coastal erosion, a fresh water supply, and most importantly, the region's overburdened roads.

"Unfortunately, right now you're not getting as much help from high up as you need," Tenenbaum said. "Today, the Grand Strand is a diamond we can be proud of. But with a little more help from Washington, it could be the crown jewel of a shining South Carolina."

Tenenbaum said the Grand Strand is one of the largest tourist destinations in the country without direct interstate access. With more than 90 percent of visitors to the beach traveling by car, the lack of interstate access seriously threatens the future economic viability of Myrtle Beach.

By some estimates, I-73 would create more than 100,000 jobs and inject 15 billion dollars into our economy. While saying she is pleased that the highway bill currently before Congress contains 10 million dollars of seed money, Tenenbaum cautioned that building the highway isn't a one-year or two-year project.

"It is an enormous undertaking. And it requires an enormous commitment," she said. "That's the commitment I make to you today: Every year that I am in the Senate, I will fight like a dog for I-73. I promise I will not stop until this highway is built. Because leadership is about priorities -- and I will put I-73 at the top of my to-do list."

The first step, she said, is demanding our fair share. For years, South Carolina has been a "donor state" - sending to Washington more in gas taxes more than we get back in money for roads.

Tenenbaum said she should demand an end to the "donor state" and back legislation to ensure that 95 percent of the gas taxes that we pay go right back into roads here in South Carolina. She also said that by fighting for our fair share, I-73 can be built without toll booths.

As part of her Plan for the Grand Strand, Tenenbaum also said the region needs:

Strong Beaches: She announced her support for legislation by
Rep. Henry Brown to give grants for beach renourishment through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. She also said she stands with Fritz Hollings and Henry Brown in opposing the Administration's efforts to cut off federal support for beach renourishment.

A Fresh Water Supply: With the economic boom along the coast,
we can't keep growing unless we find new sources of drinking water. Tenenbaum said she supports efforts by Congressman Jim Clyburn to study the possibility of a new desalination plant at Andrews.

Help for Our Tobacco Farmers. The existing tobacco quota system
was put in place during the Depression, but today it is driving many farmers out of business. But instead of fixing it, Congress and the Administration have turned a deaf ear. Yesterday Tenenbaum launched a petition to pass a quota buyout, available at www.inez2004.com.

A Regional Tourism Cluster. Tenenbaum vowed to launch an
intensive effort in Washington to secure federal research and development grants to create a Regional Tourism Cluster here in South Carolina.


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Beach renourishment is a losers game. If I'm not mistaken I-73 will plow through some prime Carolina Bay habitat. Like the coast isn't screwed up enough already!