MISSION STATEMENT

The National I-73/74 Corridor Association is a membership organization committed to enhancing the economic success and quality of life within the six-state corridor by pursuing the planning, permitting, funding, construction, and maintenance of Interstate 73 and Interstate 74, highways of national and regional significance that will facilitate interstate commerce, reduce congestion and improve safety in an environmentally sound way.

BOARD ROSTER

OFFICERS

President/Executive Director- Brad Dean
Chairman- Alan Clemmons
Vice Chair- George Lester
Treasurer- Doug Jennings
Secretary- James Armstrong

BOARD MEMBERS

Michigan

Bob Johnson
Director of Planning and Neighborhood Development for Lansing, MI
Ann Hughes
President & CEO, Adrian Area Chamber of Commerce, Adrian, MI
Raymond Basham
Michigan State Senator, District 8, Taylor, MI

Ohio

Steven Carter
Director of Scioto County Economic Development, Portsmouth, OH
Tom Kovacik
Executive Director of TAGNO, Toledo, OH
Steve Weathers
President & CEO Regional Growth Partnership, Toledo, OH

West Virginia

David Akers
President & CEO, Akers Supply, North Matewan, WV
Mike Mitchem
Executive Director, King Coal Highway I-73/74 Authority, Gilbert, WV
Christine West Coburn
Executive Assistant to Commissioner for Dept. of Highways,
Princeton, WV

Virginia

George Lester
CEO, The Lester Group, Martinsville, VA
Richard H. Eanes
President, Warren Trucking Company, Inc, Martinsville, VA
Joyce Waugh
VP Public Policy, Roanoke Chamber of Commerce, Roanoke, VA

North Carolina

Talmadge Baker
City Council Member, Asheboro, NC
James Armstrong
Director, Richmond County Planning and GIS Department,
Rockingham, NC
Greg Errett
Planning Development Coordinator, Winston-Salem, NC

South Carolina

Representative Alan Clemmons,
Myrtle Beach, SC
Representative Douglas Jennings
Douglas Jennings Law Firm, Bennettsville, SC
SCDOT

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History and Development

of Interstate 73/74 & The National Interstate 73/74 Corridor Association

1978

The Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce sponsored a survey to determine the projects most needed to bring economic growth to Southern West Virginia. The survey showed that the replacement of U.S. 52, from Bluefield to Huntington was the most important.

1979

A committee called “The Bluefield to Huntington Association” was formed with the support of The Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce. The goal of the committee was to inform the public of the needed replacement of U.S. 52, and gather support for the project.

1979-1980

Meetings, presentations, and rallies were held along the U.S. 52 corridor. They accumulated over 100,000 individual signatures and endorsements from different organizations, clubs, chambers, towns, cities, and counties.

1980-1981

Drive for legislative support through a Bond Issue to provide construction for a new U.S. 52.

1982

The West Virginia Legislature passed a 510 million dollars Bond Issue in February. However, the bond was dropped by November due to high interest rates.

1989

K.A. Ammar, Jr. was selected by the Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce to lead the campaign for the improvement of U.S. 52. They held many meetings, gave many presentations and sent out over 10,000 pieces of correspondence on the project. The campaign gained speed and support from the legislature.

1990

The Bluefield group decided to expand their efforts and drive toward and Interstate concept- the idea of I-73 had arrived. The original route was from Detroit, MI, to Ohio via Toledo and U.S. 23, and down to Portsmouth, Ohio. Then it would follow U.S. 52 through West Virginia and follow I-77 in Virginia until it hit North Carolina where it would pick back up on U.S. 52 near Winston-Salem. It would then use U.S. 220 through to Rockingham, then to South Carolina on Route 38 to Route 509 to Myrtle Beach and Charleston.

1992

K.A. Ammar teamed up with Mayor Frank Gerlach of Portsmouth, Ohio and Ray Cadwadder of Cincinnati, Ohio, and I-74 was added to the interstate plan to serve Cincinnati to Portsmouth. They planned a joint meeting with all the states along the I-73/74, to be hosted in Bluefield, West Virginia.

1993

The Umbrella Organizational meeting was held in Bluefield called ISTEA- I-73/74. Congressman Nick Rahall of West Virginia, Chairman of Sub-Committee on Surface Transportation was the featured speaker. Over 100 Dedicated business, highway, and political leaders gathered at this meeting and formed the I-73/74 Corridor Association. Nelson Walker, Executive Director of the Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce was selected as the Executive Director for the Association. In addition, each state formed a group and pledged operational funds, and an organizational office was established in Bluefield, WV with Beverly Wellman as coordinator.

1994

In January, the second Road Rally was held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Organization firms up plans and addresses routing problems in Virginia and the Carolinas. More support is received by Governors and state Legislators in some states and Katherine Saxton becomes I-73/74 Coordinator. In March, seven members of the I-73/74 Association present I-73/74 to the House Committee on Transportation. Then in May, Congressman Rahall presents a Highway Bill with I-73/74 included. Later that summer there is a Third Road Rally in Toledo, OH, and by September the Senate passed the Highway Bill with I-73/74.

1995

Association meets in Wytheville, VA and the Virginia DOT proposes a route from Bluefield to Blacksburg, Roanoke, and Martinsville. The I-73/74 Leadership suggests dual routes using I-73 and I-74 through Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. In June, fifteen devoted members of the Association present the suggested dual routes of I-73 and I-74 to the Senate and House Highway and Subcommittee Chairman and Senior Minority Committee Members. At that meeting, K. A. Ammar and Nelson Walker submit a proposal to Senators containing the dual routes. In July Senator Warner submits Highway Bill to (Senate?) which illustrates the entire I-73/74 proposed corridor. House Bill passes similar to the Senate Bill in 1994. In addition, several successful Road Rallies were held, one in Bennettsville, SC and another in Bluefield, WV to celebrate the passage of the Highway Bill.

1996

Road Rally in Martinsville, VA.

1997

10th Road Rally held in Washington, DC.

1998

Bill finally passes both house and joint committee and is signed by President Clinton. The Bill included money for interchanges in Bluefield and Welch, WV.

1999

I-73/74 Corridor Association- an umbrella organization disbands and turns mission back to each State Branch Organization.

2006

Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, President and CEO, Brad Dean decided to reform the National I-73/74 Corridor Association in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, with the help of the South Carolina I-73 Association.

2007

The proposed Board of Directors for the National I-73/74 Corridor Association met at the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to vote on bylaws, officers, and decide the future of the Association. After two days of meetings, on June 1, 2007 the National I-73/74 Corridor Association was officially reformed. Representative Alan Clemmons was elected Chairman of the Board, and Brad Dean was chosen as the President/Executive Director. Also on that day, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham and the U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters held a Luncheon at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. They discussed the future of Interstate 73/74 and announced the official reformation of the National I-73/74 Corridor Association.

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