New Ideas on Myrtle Beach Terminal Are Welcome

As frustrating as steadily climbing construction costs of a new terminal at Myrtle Beach International Airport have been, it's good to see Horry County Council members offering some new ideas.

The project has expanded to a cost of $254 million from the original $180 million, leading the council in late May to put a halt to any spending on the project until the project manager could come up with a guaranteed price.

More recently, the council has asked the contractors to show what the county can get for $200 million, a reasonable amount over the original cost considering the rising cost of concrete, steel and other building materials.

Councilman Howard Barnard requested that approach, although Council Chairwoman Liz Gilland cautioned against building an inadequate terminal. Certainly the council needs to ensure that the terminal will serve this burgeoning community for some time, but items could always be added back to the project.

The important thing here is that this project get moving again. Expanding air traffic to the region would be a sure way of bringing more dollars into this community that depends on tourism.

At the same time the council looks at the possibility of cutting the costs, members should look to other funding sources. Horry County is already grappling with other rising costs because of growth, such as expanding police and fire services. Taxpayers certainly would not be in favor of higher property taxes to pay for a project that many would not see as of any benefit to them.

As we've suggested before, the council should seek some financial help from other local governments. Residents of towns and cities in the county also would benefit from improved airport services and growth in tourism. Cooperation among governments, especially in airport matters, may be difficult to bring about, but the importance of this project should override any petty disputes.