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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce
270 Highway 17 North
North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Contact: Jennifer Prince, Media/Communications Specialist
Jennifer@northmyrtlebeachchamber.com
Phone: 843- 281-2662
Fax: 843-280-2930
Release Date: 7/17/09
Business Community Push for Transportation Reform and Investment
North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce Traveled to the Nation’s Capital to Discuss Transportation Investment Needs
North Myrtle Beach, SC - This week the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce Convention & Visitors Bureau joined business representatives from around the country and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to tell Congress that it’s time to invest in our highways, bridges, and public transportation systems.
On September 30, 2009, the nation’s core surface transportation programs will expire and Congress must seize this critical opportunity to improve existing programs and increase investment in the America’s roads, bridges, and transit systems. Current federal resources cannot support existing service levels beyond 2009 and the current program framework does not adequately support national needs and objectives.
“Now is the time to drive infrastructure improvements that work for people and the businesses that serve them by supporting jobs, speeding commerce, and enhancing safety,” said Janet Kavinoky, Director of Transportation Infrastructure at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “America’s transportation system is aging and increasingly incapable of supporting the 21st century economy. Congress and the Obama administration need to make passing highway and public transportation reauthorization a top priority.”
“Our chamber’s presence at this Transportation Fly-In indicates how critically important we rank transportation and infrastructure improvements to our economic future in North Myrtle Beach and the coastal region of S.C.”, commented Marc Jordan, President & CEO of the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce, Convention & Visitors Bureau.
We are on record calling for a comprehensive national transportation and infrastructure plan which would ensure the effective and efficient movement of people and commerce connecting all modes of transportation including air, rail, roads, and water and to plan for future capacity as well as address the replacement of aging infrastructure.
Included in the core surface transportation programs due to expire on September 30, 2009 are I-73 and I-74 which are top priorities for our area, stated Mr. Jordan. “Continuing the status quo is not an option and we must convince Congress to act now.”
While President Obama and Congress included vital funds for transportation in the stimulus package, the stimulus cannot supplement systematic, comprehensive federal investment. Adequate transportation infrastructure capacity and cost-effective transportation services are essential to improving economic growth, increasing productivity, and maintaining the competitiveness of American businesses. Further, by creating jobs across construction, engineering, resources, and manufacturing sectors, transportation investment serves as an important economic driver.
While in Washington, the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce personally met with Congressmen Henry Brown and James Clyburn and Senators DeMint and Graham to discuss vital transportation needs for North Myrtle Beach and to encourage Congress to reauthorize the existing transportation bill this year.
For more information regarding The North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce Convention & Visitors Bureau please visit www.NorthMyrtleBeachChamber.com.
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