Hampton County moves forward on airport beacon grant and first reading to buy adjoining property

Deputy county staff presented two airport items to the Hampton County Council: acceptance of a state aeronautics grant to install a beacon tower at the Hampton County Airport and the first reading of an ordinance authorizing purchase of a parcel adjacent to the east end of the runway in the town of Barnwell.

Christopher Glesson, deputy county administrator, told council the South Carolina Aeronautics Commission approved an 85/15 grant for a beacon‑tower project sized at about $100,457; the grant will cover 85% and the county will match with approximately $15,069 drawn from USDA loan funds currently available to the airport. Staff said the project had been on the airport capital improvement plan approved by the planning commission and county council and that completion is now expected in February (the county had earlier hoped to finish by year‑end).

"This is one of four top-priority projects for the airport," Glesson said, describing the beacon as an important visual aid for nighttime or poor-weather operations and noting related work on an instrument approach, obstruction removal and runway lights.

Council members asked for details about tower height, placement and design; Glesson said the monopole design selected includes a tilt feature to simplify maintenance and estimated the tower at about 52–55 feet. Staff said engineers and consultants have studied location options and identified a placement behind the second corporate hangar that keeps the beacon out of airport airspace and provides convenient electrical connection.

On a separate but related airport matter, staff presented first reading of an ordinance to purchase a parcel at the east end of the runway; the town of Barnwell previously acquired the property roughly a decade ago to limit development near the airport. The purchase price is $14,000; staff intends to apply for an 85/15 South Carolina Aeronautics Commission grant to cover 85% of the purchase and related costs (environmental assessment, title search and legal fees). If eligible, the county would use airport operating/capital funds (cash flow) with reimbursement expected after state approval. Staff said the town of Barnwell completed its readings on the sale and that the county previously approved a purchase agreement.

Council approved authorization for the administrator to accept the state grant for the beacon tower and later approved a motion to proceed with beacon installation. The council also approved first reading of the ordinance to acquire the east‑end parcel; staff will schedule a public hearing for final reading and a closing date if council approves subsequent readings.