HORRY COUNTY --  

Horry County plans to start construction of a boat launch with help from a $750,000 federal government grant.

The new boat launch will be on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway underneath Highway 22 near Highway 17.

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources helped the county get the grant from the U.S. Department of Interior Fish and Wildlife Service.

Since 2009, Horry County Councilman Brent Schulz has discussed building the $1.92 million dollar project that includes construction of roads, parking and the boat launch.

"The project location is optimal in that it will be located at a major interchange and will serve the many thousands residents of Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Briarcliffe Acres as well as all residents and visitors in Horry County,"Schulz said.

The county's transportation committee set aside $600,000 and the Horry County Legislative Delegation and Horry County Parks & Recreation also put $150,000 each towards the project.

The project is still $37,000 short of the estimated cost.

Schulz said the estimate was done years ago, and he believes construction costs have come down.

"I think with the amount of money we have it will work," said Schulz. He is currently still seeking other grants and private donations to help fund the project.

Horry County plans to use six acres for the boat landing, which has completed all preliminary and civil engineering designs. The US Army Corps of Engineers has issued permits for the boat launch's construction.

When its done, the county hopes the area around the boat launch will include a park with walking paths, a Community Center and at least one dog park.

The county expects construction on the boat launch to start in June.