(AP) -- Ninety-eight mayors from across South Carolina have written President Obama asking for his help to get money to deepen Charleston Harbor.
Port officials say they need $400,000 to help pay for a study into deepening the harbor to 50 feet to accommodate bigger ships that will be calling in the future.
The South Carolina State Ports Authority says the letter asks that the president include money in the administration's budget for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The letter stresses that deepening the Charleston Harbor would be cheaper than deepening harbors in other cities in the Southeast.
Critics say one reason South Carolina hasn't gotten money for a study is because U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint opposes requesting an earmark for the project.
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