COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- South Carolina's newest congressman says he will work to jumpstart the deepening of Charleston Harbor without federal money.
Congressman-elect Mick Mulvaney said Friday he agrees with U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint's opposition to requesting an earmark for the project. The Indian Land Republican says he'll push to start the required feasibility study with money raised within the state.
Officials say the Army Corps of Engineers needs $400,000 allocated from the federal government to start the study. Business leaders say deepening the harbor to roughly 50 feet is needed to accommodate the larger ships already arriving.
An Army Corps official says federal law allows for a study to be paid for locally, but it could make the years-long project take even longer and more difficult.
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