Cherokee Again Looks into the Possibility of Airport

By Janet S. Spencer, Herald-Journal, Spartanburg, S.C.

Apr. 8–GAFFNEY — A study indicates an airport in Cherokee County is justified, and County Council has filed an application with the Federal Aviation Administration for its construction.

The findings also show an airport would enhance economic development, attracting new business and industry.

But the county has reached similar progress before on the issue without getting any further.

For years, officials have bandied about the need for a general aviation airport.

In 2001, a new airport for Cherokee County was listed in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems, but the request became dormant, according to a study by WK Dickson & Co. Inc. of Columbia.

According to its Web site, The National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems “identifies more than 3,300 airports that are significant to national air transportation and thus eligible to receive federal grants under the Airport Improvement Program.”

By 2005, the airport was not included in the NPIAS report after no activity on the project was recorded. The report said the local political environment halted any action.

In December, County Council asked for another study.

In March, the findings were released, and last week council agreed to proceed with the application after a motion by Councilman Bailey Humphries.

Council members Charles Mathis and James Batchler wanted more information on the cost of building an airport.

“I don’t want to get further down the road and find out. Can’t you give us a ballpark figure?” Mathis asked the consultants, who attended the meeting with county Airport Commission Chairman Vic Sarratt.

Supporters of the project said the costs could not be defined until the next stage of consideration, developing a master plan, is finalized.

Council Chairman Hoke Parris said he supported proceeding with the application.

“As long as I know we’ll have another vote before we spend money, and I’ll have another say, I’ll go along with this,” Parris said.

Council members Tim Spencer and Quay Little also supported proceeding with the application.

“Why would you not want to go on, after getting the study results?”

Spencer asked.

Little agreed.

“First, we take it to the Feds, and then we go from there,” he said.

With approval, the federal agency would pay for 95 percent of the cost of developing a master plan. The county and state would each pay 2.5 percent of the cost.

An estimated 385 to 530 acres will be needed for an airport.

Cherokee County is 30 minutes or more away by ground from the nearest existing NPIAS airport and qualifies for a facility.

The county also meets the requirement of 10 aircraft owners committing to be based at the airport within the first year of operation.

The study includes endorsements from 16 people who would base aircraft at the facility if built.

Officials could not estimate how long the next phase in the project would take.

—–

To see more of the Herald-Journal, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.GoUpstate.com.

Copyright (c) 2007, Herald-Journal, Spartanburg, S.C.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News.

For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.