Billboard battle: New sign supports SC cruises

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Billboards in the Charleston area now take both sides of the cruise industry debate.

A group of businesses and citizens has put up a new billboard on Interstate 26 supporting the industry. It bears the words “Cruise on in… Welcome and thank you” and notes the industry creates good jobs for the city.

The group calling itself Cruise On In Charleston says cruises contribute $37 million a year to the local economy.

Last August, a group that wants tighter controls on the industry put up an I-26 billboard proclaiming “Save Charleston. Support Cruise Control.”

The cruise debate is a key issue in this week’s Charleston mayoral election. It’s also the subject of a lawsuit pitting preservationists and neighborhood groups against the city, the State Ports Authority and Carnival Cruise Lines.