Beaufort Executive Airport board backs nonbinding LOI for Lone Palmetto hangar project

The Beaufort Executive Airport Board voted to ask county council to pursue a nonbinding letter of intent for Lone Palmetto27s proposed hangar and fixed-base operator project, after hearing an extended presentation and public concerns.

John (presenting for the Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation) and Mark Rogers of Lone Palmetto described "Project Cloud," a proposal the presenters estimated would include roughly 100,000 square feet of hangar space, an approximate $23,000,000 private investment and about 50 high-paying jobs. "This project, we started out, its project name was, Project Cloud," John said while outlining an eight-year development effort and regulatory steps including Army Corps of Engineers reviews.

Why it matters: board members said the project could attract private investment to complement public improvements and create revenue for county services. Hank Amundson of Beaufort County administration told the board council has discussed the project in executive session and is interested in moving forward but needs assurances before committing funds or approvals. "Council has expressed their interest in moving forward," Amundson said, urging coordinated protections and negotiations among the town, county and airport staff.

Board members pressed presenters about timing and approvals. A board member asked whether, if the board recommends proceeding, the next step would be county council review; John said it would, and that staff would draw a nonbinding letter of intent and continue negotiations. When asked how soon construction could begin, staff and presenters warned multiple regulatory steps (including Army Corps approvals) make a short timeline unlikely and estimated several years before major site work.

On the question of maintenance and operational scope, Lone Palmetto27s Mark Rogers said the current plan emphasizes community-style hangars rather than a large maintenance base. "In short, no. We haven't," Rogers said when asked whether a full maintenance center was part of the immediate proposal. Presenters and some board members noted maintenance economics and local labor availability as constraints, while others warned the airport depends on a single local maintenance provider and that losing that capacity would harm operators.

Residents and board members who attended community meetings said support was broad but conditional. One board member summarized three frequent resident concerns: limiting engine and turbine maintenance to reduce run-ups and noise; orienting buildings to mitigate noise for nearby homes; and ensuring stormwater controls to prevent adverse downstream impacts. The speaker said the town of Hilton Head would be more formally involved in specifying protections.

Action taken: a board member moved that the board "make a recommendation to develop a nonbinding letter of intent for presentation to county council." The motion received a second and passed by voice without recorded opposition; staff said they would work with county administration to place the item on the council agenda.

What27s next: the board27s recommendation will go to Beaufort County council for consideration; county staff and the town of Hilton Head will be involved in drafting protective terms and any subsequent nonbinding agreement. Presenters emphasized parallel work on the airport master plan and regulatory approvals before construction could begin.

The board discussion closed with staff committing to coordinate town and county concerns and to return with more detailed documentation as negotiations and master planning proceed.