Senator Lindsey Graham is trying to find more money for a study at the Port of Charleston so it doesn’t fall behind other east coast ports. Graham is trying to get $400,000 for a study that would deepen the South Carolina harbor. T
The Post and Courier of Charleston reports Graham says it would be an economic disaster for the state if Charleston would not be able to accommodate larger ships coming from the Panama Canal. Business leaders say it worries them that the port city may fall behind the rest of its East Coast competitors because the money Graham is seeking is not included in the Senate bill. Graham says he understands the “earmarking” concerns. Senator Jim DeMint is opposed to earmarks, or writing specific instructions for the use of money.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would conduct the study, but if they are not required to, they may not. Ports in competing states like Georgia, Florida, North Carolina and Virginia are already set to receive $300,000.
