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Beaufort County airport director requests $15 million from state for terminal phase 2
Summary
The Beaufort County Airport Board was told the airport has formally requested $15 million in state funding for phase 2 of the Hilton Head terminal expansion and that the project may also pursue discretionary FAA dollars amid federal funding uncertainty.
John, the airport director, told the Beaufort County Airport Board that the airport has submitted a formal request to the state for $15 million to fund phase 2 of the Hilton Head terminal expansion. He said phase 2 will expand the front of the existing terminal roughly 25 to 30 feet and includes a full renovation of the older terminal area. "We've requested $15,000,000 from the state," John said, noting that the delegation helped secure funding for the first phase.
John also said he will submit a separate $2 million request this week for the St. James Baptist Church project. He warned the board that discretionary FAA funding is uncertain following recent federal reauthorization, though he said the airport would still apply for available FAA discretionary grants that target small nonhub terminals. "There's a lot of uncertainty with what's, what may or may not happen with the FAA," he said.
Board members asked technical questions about the design, including how jet bridges would be accommodated in a single'story terminal; John explained the gate area includes a slight ramp that allows for jet bridge geometry while meeting ADA requirements. He also described the construction progress: final roof panels being installed, window framing and interior framing advancing, and the temporary canopy that will be removed when phase 2 construction reaches that area.
John urged board members to support legislative advocacy in Columbia and Washington, D.C., and to use personal relationships with state and federal staffers to reinforce the project's priority. He described an upcoming delegation trip and a one'day "speed dating" session with staffers aimed at securing discretionary federal attention. The director said he would report back with updates after those meetings.
The board did not take a formal vote on the funding request during the meeting; the director said staff is assembling the funding package and will continue advocacy with the delegation and with federal contacts.
