Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced more than $15 million in federal grants for airports in South Carolina.  Passenger airports serving Charleston, Columbia and Greenville-Spartanburg received nearly two-thirds of the total funding.

“South Carolina’s airports are a vital part of our state’s transportation infrastructure and play an integral role in our economy,” said Graham.  “These improvements will help recruit future investment and economic development.”

Major Awards for South Carolina Include:

Charleston International Airport / Charleston Air Force Base (CHS)
The Charleston County Aviation Authority will receive a $2,203,397 grant for Charleston AFB/International Airport.  The funds will be used to replace the flight information display system and baggage information display system; replace radio equipment; and to extend rain covered walkways to the public parking area.

Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE)
The Richland/Lexington Airport Commission will receive a $3,852,199 grant for Columbia Metropolitan Airport.  The funds will be used to purchase and install a new regional jet bridge; purchase a pavement friction tester; rehabilitate taxiway lights; and rehabilitate runway surfaces.

Greenville/Spartanburg International Airport (GSP)
The Greenville-Spartanburg Airport Commission will receive a $3,915,615 grant for Greenville Spartanburg International Airport.  The funds will be used for the rehabilitation of runway and taxiway lights including the installation of an airfield lighting computer system; reconstruction of aprons; renovation of the terminal restrooms; and the installation of public seating in the terminal.

Other award recipients in South Carolina:

Aiken
The City of Aiken will receive a $150,000 grant to install perimeter fencing at Aiken Municipal Airport.

Allendale
Allendale County will receive a $150,000 grant to aid in the construction of a new terminal building at the Allendale County Airport.

Anderson
Anderson County will receive a $150,000 grant to purchase land within the runway protection zone at Anderson Regional Airport.

Beaufort
Beaufort County will receive a $773,222 grant for the Hilton Head Airport.  The funds will be used for land acquisition, the design of a new airport rescue and firefighting vehicle building, updating the airport master plan, and obstruction removal.

Beaufort County will receive a $160,550 grant to remove obstructions and update the master plan at the Beaufort County Airport.

Chesterfield
Cheraw will receive a $345,441 grant for taxiway construction at Cheraw Municipal/Lynch Bellinger Field.

Pageland will receive a $300,000 grant to install perimeter fencing and acquire land for future development at the Pageland Airport.

Dorchester
Dorchester County will receive a $150,000 grant to install a runway vertical/visual guidance system and remove obstructions at the St. George Airport.

Horry
Horry County will receive a $150,000 grant to remove obstructions at the Grand Strand Airport.

Jasper
Jasper County will receive a $280,900 grant to rehabilitate the runway at the Ridgeland Airport.

Laurens
Laurens County will receive a $149,500 grant for the Laurens County Airport.  The funds will be used to construct a fuel farm, design a hangar, and acquire approach easements.

Newberry
Newberry County will receive a $2,150,000 grant to begin site preparation and construction on a new runway at the Newberry County Airport.

Spartanburg
The City of Spartanburg will receive a $131,000 grant to design a new apron and taxiway to serve the new terminal building at the Spartanburg Downtown Memorial Airport.

York
The City of Rock Hill will receive a $150,000 grant for taxiway design and to acquire land at Rock Hill/York County/Bryant Field.

All grants were awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

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