Thousands of jobs, millions of dollars, more tourism, a new way off the Grand Strand in the event of a hurricane... all reasons why many local leaders want I-73 built.
I attended the Northeastern Strategic Alliance's gubernatorial forum to find out where democrat Vincent Sheheen and republican Nikki Haley stand on the massive project.
Grand Strand and Pee Dee leaders like Myrtle Beach Mayor John Rhodes, Horry County Council Chair Liz Gilland and Marion Mayor Rodney Berry are among the members of NESA's I-73 committee who were at the forum in Myrtle Beach.
State Representative Thad Viers was standing in for Representative Nikki Haley, who was not able to attend.
Representative Doug Jennings heads NESA's I-73 committee. He says a governor who supports the project almost unconditionally is critical.
He told me, "Our concern is that the next governor needs to just not speak of support of it, but actually back that up with their actions and their votes."
Senator Sheheen says there is little he wouldn't do to make I-73 a reality. I told him it sounds like he supports the interstate that would stretch from Michigan to the Grand Strand almost unconditionally. He said, "There has to be a commitment that this is a project that needs to happen, and I'm all in to make it happen and that is my support."
Representative Thad Viers says Rep. Haley is behind the project as well. During our conversation he said, "She's going to protect the South Carolina tax payers first but she's very supportive of I73. One of the first policy briefings she got when first elected to the house, she came down and got a briefing from the Chamber of Commerce. She's always supported it."
Representative Viers told the crowd I-73 will happen if Nikki Haley's elected. Senator Sheheen said his goal would be for work to get underway on the project during his first term in office.
Rep. Haley was criticized by some members of the NESA committee for not attending. According to her website she was in Charleston Friday morning and afternoon.
