Apr 01 2005

Graham Announces Over $12 Million in South Carolina Airport Grants

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced over $12 million in grants to South Carolina airports. “Airports play a vital role in growing the local economy by making the area more attractive for economic development and business recruitment,” said Graham. “These grants are an investment in the future of our state.” Columbia Metropolitan Columbia Metropolitan will receive $4,407,908 to rehabilitate and increase apron areas. The funding also improves the terminal building by acquiring and installing loading bridges to enhance passenger and airline efficiency. Safety at the airport will be enhanced by the installation of perimeter fencing around a portion of the airport boundary. Myrtle Beach International Myrtle Beach International will receive $3,575,138 for the initial phase of construction for the new terminal area access road system to accommodate passenger demand at the airport. The funds will provide for the initial phase of the new apron and taxiway system from the airfield to the newly relocated terminal building. Georgetown County: Georgetown County will receive $1,150,000. Funds will be used to study the environmental impact of the proposed runway extension, fund improvements to the airport access road, relocate airport utilities, and install a new airfield lighting vault. A new rotating beacon will be installed to improve visibility of the facility and thereby enhance safety to aircraft using the airport. Pageland: The city of Pageland will receive $634,216 for the acquisition of land adjacent to the airport. Lee County: Lee County will receive $558,400 to help phase II of the runway paving development which includes site preparation, grading, paving, extending and lighting of the current runway to improve airport facilities and operational safety. Rock Hill/York County/Bryant Field Bryant Field will receive $346,170 for the second phase of construction of the apron to be expanded to meet current demand by airport users. Charleston AFB/International: Charleston AFB/International will receive $312,888 for security enhancements. The project includes construction of a new airport building for storage and maintenance of required airport safety and security equipment. Saluda County: Saluda County will receive $309,733 for the rehabilitation of the existing runway pavement surface to maintain current investment and enhance aircraft operational safety at the airport. Hartsville Regional: Hartsville Regional will receive $221,254 to update the existing Airport Layout Plan. The project will allow for the acquisition of approximately 42 acres of land under the Runway 3 end approach surface to ensure airport control and maximize safe airport operations. Cheraw Municipal/Lynch Bellinger Field The town of Cheraw will receive $166,905 to install approximately 8,500 feet of airport perimeter fencing to increase security and safety for the airport. East Cooper Airport East Cooper will receive $162,750 for a new automated weather observing system to report weather conditions. This system will enhance safety by providing pilots accurate, real-time runway surface weather information prior to an approach or departure to/from the airport. County of Georgetown/Andrews/Robert F Swinnie: Robert F. Swinnie will receive $150,000 for the first phase of design and initial clearing of the airport runway approach surfaces to enhance safety of aircraft operating at the airport. Williamsburg Regional: Williamsburg Regional will receive $150,000 for the environmental analysis and design of the partial parallel taxiway to accommodate aircraft using the airport and improve airport safety. Oconee County Regional: Oconee Regional will receive $115,900 for the final phase of planning for the runway 7/25 extension and includes an airport layout plan, airport property survey and environmental assessment. Marlboro County Jetport - H.E. Avent Field: Marlboro County Jetport will receive $103,550 to provide additional Airport Layout Planning drawings to determine needed obstruction removal in the existing and future approach surfaces. This project will acquire 42 acres of land adjacent to the airport for control of potential obstructions to aircraft. The project allows for the remarking of the current airport runway and taxiway pavement surfaces. ####