Rep. Frank Iler presents $392,000 state budget appropriation to Ocean Isle Museum Foundation

Representative Frank Iler recently presented a $392,000 check to the Ocean Isle Museum Foundation to support repairs and renovations to the Museum of Coastal Carolina in Ocean Isle Beach and Ingram Planetarium in Sunset Beach. The projects include major repairs and replacement to the roof and walls of the planetarium from the effects of repeated hurricanes and rainfall. The funds were approved in the state budget recently signed into law.  The presentation occurred prior to the Foundation Board of Trustees’ recent meeting and was received by Chairman Jerry Rothenberg, Director Jim Hoffman, and the attending board members.

“After three years of efforts to include this appropriation in the state budget, we finally got a signed budget last November that included it,” said Rep. Iler. “These are real assets for thousands of school children that visit each year, as well as a tourism enhancement that most other communities don’t enjoy. It was great to work with these dedicated museum volunteers, employees, and sponsors to bring our citizens’ funds back home for renovating these community facilities. It has been a pleasure to be personally involved in sponsoring this important asset.”

Ocean Isle Museum Foundation has museum memberships and sponsorships available for the community to support ongoing operations. The Town of Ocean Isle Beach is a major sponsor, as are some of our local citizens and businesses.