Airport staff provided a broad update on terminal construction, airfield projects, FAA grant activity and airline rates.

Director John Orazio said more roof work and exterior paving remain; staff expect to pave two additional lanes out front around Memorial Day and remove fencing from the roadway in front of the terminal. Inside the terminal, windows are installed and staff expect a test installation of terrazzo in the area referenced in the presentation within weeks.

Orazio described recent FAA grant activity: staff submitted applications for multiple projects including airfield drainage at Hilton Head, environmental work for runway object‑free area and taxiway work, a BIL grant tied to tower improvements, and a design/bid request for Beaufort Executive’s partial north safety project. He said all materials are now in the FAA for review and that independent fee estimates remain as loose ends to tie up.

On airline finances, staff described a “cost‑recovery model” that has increased revenue from the carriers by about $1.5 million over the past three years. Orazio said the model shifts more cost recovery to the airlines through rates and charges adjustments to help fund terminal projects and operations.

Staff also noted operational items from recent stakeholder engagement: tenant meetings, an airport tenant lunch, and outreach including a foreign object debris (FOD) walk during Aviation Week; staff described use of a FOD mat that state officials provided to airports to pick up metal bristles and debris left after construction work.

On security screening, staff reported the Real ID rollout began the prior Wednesday and that TSA screening adjustments for travelers without Real ID went “pretty smoothly” statewide, according to an update from the Federal Security Director.

No formal board actions were taken on these information updates. Staff said they will continue coordinating FAA reviews and return with project schedules and grant outcomes as they become available.