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County economic development director tells commission airport drives jobs, investment
Summary
Jamie Gilbert, Oconee County economic development director, told the Aeronautics Commission the county airport is a key asset for recruitment and retention, citing a 2018 study that linked the airport to roughly 94 jobs and about $7.6 million in annual spending and noting Mine America's relocation decision was influenced by airport access.
Jamie Gilbert, Oconee County economic development director, told the Aeronautics Commission on April 28 that the county airport is a significant economic engine that supports job creation, investment and quality of life.
"I truly believe that our airport is one of the finest airports in the state," Gilbert said. He described the airport as an introduction to the community for prospective investors and visitors, from company executives to visitors for Clemson football games.
Gilbert cited examples of existing firms that use the airport, including Horton and BorgWarner, and described Mine America, a Dutch company with parent CTP/Chore Time Products, as a case in which airport access was an important factor in the company's decision to relocate headquarters and manufacturing operations from Georgia to Oconee County. "That company ended up deciding to relocate its headquarters and manufacturing division from Georgia to Oconee County," he said, adding that the airport played an important role in that choice.
He referenced a 2018 Aeronautics Commission economic-impact study saying the airport supported about 94 direct and indirect jobs, approximately $7.6 million in annual spending and more than $10.8 million in economic development activity, and recommended updating those figures.
Gilbert also said there is interest in adding hangar space and offered the economic development office's help in supporting airport growth. The commission thanked him for the briefing; no formal action was taken on his recommendations during the meeting.
