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Airport seeks SPLOST help for ramp expansion and two hangars to attract business
Summary
The airport director requested SPLOST 9 funding for about 10,000 square yards of ramp pavement in the southeast airport area and for construction of two aircraft hangars, arguing the investments would support aeronautical business development and produce long-term revenue.
The airport director told the commission the airport is requesting SPLOST support for two priority projects: expansion of pavement in the airport’s southeast business area and the construction of two aircraft hangars.
On the pavement request, the director said the airport is seeking funding for roughly 10,000 square yards of additional ramp pavement in the southeast quadrant. He described the southeast area as roughly 150 acres of “prime land for business development and aeronautical business development,” and said the pavement expansion improves airfield circulation and safety while enabling private investment.
On hangars, the director said the airport currently has three hangars that are full and that adding two more hangars would let the airport base more aircraft locally rather than losing business to nearby airports such as Thompson, Aiken and Columbia. He said the proposed hangars would be roughly 30,000 to 40,000 square feet and could store three or four large aircraft each with adjacent office space.
The director also cited an economic-impact study that put the airport’s annual local economic impact at approximately $300 million and framed the requested SPLOST support as an economic-development investment that could generate fuel sales, ad-valorem taxes and other revenue.
Funding constraints and alternatives: the director said the projects are in the airport master plan but are not eligible for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant programs the airport typically uses. He said the airport has explored private-sector partners and that private investors have expressed interest in building hangars as either speculative development or private facilities to house aircraft.
Commissioners asked whether TIA or GDOT funding could be used; the director said the projects are not eligible for FAA grants and that the airport has had better success with private-sector financing for hangars. There were no formal motions or votes during the presentation.
Next steps: airport staff will provide refined cost estimates and site plans to the commission for inclusion in the SPLOST 9 recommended list. The administrator reminded commissioners that staff will compile department requests and present a recommended SPLOST list in July for commission review and possible action to meet the election office’s ballot deadlines.
Ending: the director thanked the commission; commissioners voiced support for pursuing private-sector partners if SPLOST funding cannot cover the full project costs.
