Brunswick, St. Simons airport projects advance as county leverages federal funds

Glynn County and Brunswick Golden Isles Airport officials said three SPLOST‑22 projects affecting county airports are moving forward and that most of the construction funding is expected from federal and state aviation sources.

The projects matter because they convert local SPLOST contributions into larger federal and state grants that will pay the bulk of construction costs, reducing Glynn County’s direct share while supporting airport safety and economic development.

Rob Burr, speaking for the airport authority, said the county’s three airport projects “are basically tied to funding from other, other resources.” He reported that design and environmental work is complete for an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) station at Brunswick Golden Isles Airport, that the ARFF station is out for bid and that county staff expect bids within about 30 days. Burr said federal participation in construction costs could be much higher than the 50/50 split originally expected — he said there is an expectation that up to about 80% of construction could be paid with federal aviation funds, which would reduce the county’s contribution.

Burr also said an airport economic‑development project that would add a taxiway has its environmental documentation submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration and that the design is about 80% complete; construction would follow the ARFF station. At Saint Simons Island Airport, Burr said a multi‑year environmental assessment combined runway safety improvements and removal of an old runway surface to make room for hangars; that draft document is in a public comment period that runs through May 15, and the airport authority will hold a public workshop May 20. "We have a workshop on May 20...we encourage you to come to that workshop," Burr said.

County officials and airport staff also addressed social‑media claims that the St. Simons project would require additional property or rerouting nearby roads. A county vice chairman reiterated that the project “is entirely on the airport property” and told attendees "there is no additional property being consumed. We're not going outside the airport." Burr said the environmental assessment examined alternatives — including land acquisition and road realignments — and that the report explains why those alternatives were not feasible; the chosen alternative uses an engineered arresting system (EMAS) past the runway end to meet safety standards without expanding the runway footprint.

No formal county vote occurred during the briefing; staff said ARFF remains out to bid and the taxiway awaits FAA environmental approval. The public workshop on the St. Simons environmental assessment is scheduled May 20; the airport authority is accepting written comments through May 15, and staff said they will meet with residents who request additional briefings.

If bids for the ARFF station exceed estimates, Burr said the airport may use additional federal entitlement funds to cover the difference. County officials said they have been coordinating with federal grant programs and with partners including the city of Brunswick and the airport authority to maximize non‑local funding for these projects.