About Us
Mission Statement
The National I-73/I-74/I-75 Corridor Association is a membership organization committed to enhancing the economic success and quality of life within the six-state corridor (Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina) by pursuing the planning, permitting, funding, construction, and maintenance of Interstate 73, Interstate 74 and Interstate 75, 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 - Jimmy Gray, SC
Chairman - Representative Case Brittain, SC
Vice Chairman - George Lester, VA
Secretary-Treasurer - Mike Wooten, SC
Board Members
Michigan
- Jane Fitzpatrick
Eastern Michigan Council of Governments, Saginaw, MI - Jim McBryde
Middle Michigan Development Corporation, Mount Pleasant, MI - James Van Doren
Lenawee Now, Adrian, MI
Ohio
- Doug Jenkins
Findlay-Hancock Chamber of Commerce, Findlay, OH - Tom Kovacik
Kovacik Consulting, Toledo, OH - Tim Mayle
Findlay-Hancock Country Economic Development, Findlay, OH
West Virginia
- Robbie Morris
West Virginia Economic Development Council, Charleston, WV - Robert Plymale
WV State Senate, Appalachian Transportation Institute, Huntington, WV - Jim Spencer
City of Bluefield Economic Development, Bluefield, WV
Virginia
- Richard Crouse
Consultant, Martinsville, VA - Terry Durkin
Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce, Roanoke, VA - George Lester II
Lester Group, Martinsville, VA
North Carolina
- Open
South Carolina
- Rodney Berry
District Director, Congressman Tim Rice, Marion, SC - Case Brittain
SC State Representative, Myrtle Beach, SC - Mike Wooten
DDC Engineers, Inc., Myrtle Beach, SC
History & Development
Interstate 73/74 & The National Interstate 73/74/75 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.
2010
At the Fall Road Rally in Washington, D.C., Chairman of the National I-73/74 Corridor Association Alan Clemmons announced that Interstate 75 had been adopted into the association. Clemmons said since I-75 lies within the I-73/74 corridor, and given its excitement in Michigan and Ohio, its inclusion into the I-73/74 Association is a "perfect fit" and helps reenergize allies in those states.
2017
US Army Corps of Engineer issues permit to begin Construction of I-73
2018
Coastal Conservation League Files Lawsuit to Stop I-73
Economist Speak out Against CCL's Lawsuit and Alternate Route
2020
S.C. Rep. Alan Clemmons retires, S.C. Rep. Case Brittain elected by the board as the new Chairman of the National I-73/74/75 Corridor Association.
2021
S.C Gov. McMaster Announces Plan To Expand I-73
Federal Judge Dismisses Coastal Conservation League Lawsuit, Allowing I-73 Project To Move Forward
Survey Finds South Carolina Voters Support I-73