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Beaufort County airport board: terminal phase one near completion; county seeks $15 million for phase two
Summary
Airport director reported the new single‑story terminal’s first phase is nearly finished with a projected completion next spring and that the board has requested $15 million in state funding for a second phase; FAA discretionary funding remains uncertain.
The Beaufort County Airport Board heard an update on terminal construction and a request for state funding during its regular meeting. John, airport director, told the board the current construction phase is taking shape and that the airport has submitted a formal request to the state for $15,000,000 toward phase two of the terminal project.
The request matters because phase two would renovate and expand the existing terminal building and add operational capacity not included in the current phase. John said the terminal’s roof and interior framing are nearly complete, that the building is being fitted with boarding areas and concessions space, and that the temporary canopy currently at the front of the existing building will be removed when phase two proceeds.
John described the design as a single‑story building that nonetheless accommodates passenger boarding bridges by using slight ramps and grade changes rather than a second floor. He said administrative office space in the new construction is being limited to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requirements, and the remainder of the new building is mission‑driven operational space.
On funding, John said the county has asked the state for $15,000,000 for phase two and plans to apply for federal discretionary funding that Congress authorized last year; he noted those FAA discretionary dollars (a $10,000,000 pot for small non‑hub terminal projects referenced in the reauthorization) are uncertain and carry more risk than the state request. He also said the county will submit a separate $2,000,000 state request this week for the Saint James Baptist Church project.
John reminded the board that the current phase’s projected completion is next spring ("give or take a year") and that staff will continue pursuing state and federal support. The board and staff discussed outreach and advocacy; John said staff and some board members had attended a recent legislative reception in Columbia and planned a trip to Washington, D.C., later in the month to meet federal staffers and reinforce the funding requests.
Melinda Tunner, the Town of Hilton Head liaison to the board, said she had requested the liaison appointment because Ward 6 is near the airport and residents want updates; she raised concerns about FAA staffing and grant funding in Washington and asked that the board keep that uncertainty in mind when pursuing federal funding.
Board members also heard that airport staff provide regular public engagement and education visits (students, Civil Air Patrol, ARFF demonstrations) and that staff post weekly project photos to an engagement site managed by Rocio. John said staff will continue to update the board and encouraged members with delegation contacts to reinforce the county’s funding requests.
Looking ahead, John said the airport will coordinate phase two funding, and staff will provide additional information to the board about advocacy plans and potential committee work on government affairs.
Ending: The board did not take a final funding vote at this meeting; staff will continue to pursue state and federal funding and report back as advocacy and grant applications progress.
