Gov. Henry McMaster's Accelerate SC has recommened how the state might spend $1.9 billion in federal pandemic aid.

The group which includes Lexingtonians Ted Pitts of the SC Chamber of Commerce and Lou Kennedy of Nephron Pharmaceuticals suggested:

1. $500 million be put into the unemployment trust fund being drained by double-digit unemployment.

2. $250 million to help public and private hospitals.

3. $100 million to expand broadband internet into rural areas without it.

4. $160 million for a week of summer instruction to help elementary school students catch up on reading and other lost skills.

Leaders of the group said that plan was still preliminary and will likely change before final recommendations are given to McMaster this month.

The governor said at first glance this looked good to him, the Associated Press reported.

McMaster promised to give details to the General Assembly in a few weeks so they can debate and approve it .

Additional federal money is heading to the state, specifically linked to needs like education.

The group also recommended the governor allow some tourism attractions to reopen with safety rules and precautions by this upcoming holiday weekend.

Several beach cities were surprised by huge crowds last weekend.

McMaster said he would make a decision soon.

Accelerate SC couldn't answer all the questions since the group was created April 20.

What will public schools look like in the fall?

How can South Carolina prepare for a possible second surge in cases later this year?

And how can businesses convince people it is safe to come back to restaurants and attractions?

"If we follow those guidelines and are cognizant of what each of us have to do to stay safe, we should be in very good shape," McMaster said.

The virus continues to impact the state.

The University of South Carolina estimates it will lose $40 million through August with more losses possible even with reopening the campus.

Football coach Will Muschamp, woman's basketball coach Dawn Staley and men's basketball coach Frank Martin all agreed to a 10%  pay cut for a year starting in July.

University president Bob Caslen, athletics director Ray Tanner and several other senior university employees also took a 10% cut, which should save about $1.2 million.