Municipal airport’s new secondary runway will enhance visits to the Hammock Coast

Municipal airport’s new secondary runway will enhance visits to the Hammock Coast

Pilots of small passenger planes and private jets who are visiting South Carolina’s Hammock Coast® will soon have a smoother landing at the Georgetown County Airport.

That’s because a secondary runway at the airport set to receive major reconstruction at the popular municipal airport. The reconstructed runway will provide a backup for the primary runway.

Georgetown County officials, airport staff and project partners gathered at the Georgetown County Airport recently to break ground on the reconstruction of Runway 11/29 — a major project aimed at enhancing safety and operational capabilities at the county’s airport.

The groundbreaking coincides with South Carolina Aviation Week, serving as Georgetown County’s contribution to recognizing the vital role aviation plays in the state’s economy and infrastructure.

Officials said this project is particularly exciting because Runway 11/29 is a secondary runway, and secondary runways are not usually eligible for federal funding. As a result, most are in very poor condition.

“The leadership at the state Aeronautics Commission recognized this as a safety issue and created a new program that would allow 90 percent of projects to be funded through state support, making it feasible for local governments to complete these projects,” said Georgetown County Airport Manager Jim Taylor. Runway 11/29 will be the first secondary runway in South Carolina to take advantage of this new program.

Originally installed in 1942 by the military during World War II, Runway 11/29 has never been resurfaced. Over time, the original construction — which included asphalt laid over tree stumps and roots — led to significant surface deterioration. Voids and sinkholes have formed across the runway, creating serious safety concerns.

“We’re proud to take this important step in making the airport safer and more reliable for all users,” Taylor said. “This reconstruction ensures that pilots have a safe crosswind runway available and allows for continued operations if maintenance is needed on our primary runway.”

The Georgetown County Airport, established in 1942 and transferred to county ownership in 1947 under the Surplus Land Act, has steadily grown in importance as a general aviation facility. It serves private pilots, business travelers, and visitors seeking access to the Hammock Coast and coastal South Carolina, and it is increasingly positioned as a key location for aviation-related economic development. Over the past five years, Georgetown County has invested nearly $15 million in airport improvements with support from the South Carolina Aeronautics Commission and the Federal Aviation Administration.

“This project would not have been possible without the leadership and support of the South Carolina Aeronautics Commission,” Taylor added.

Gary Siegfried, executive director for SCAC, said airports are gateways to the communities where they are located.

“There are a lot of pilots that come to airports just to refuel, if they are traveling across country as itinerary pilots,” he said. “For those pilots, the airport, the runway, the terminal building and the airport staff, they may be the only impression they get of your community.”

He said the Georgetown County Airport makes a really good first impression, saying, “I hope you are all really proud of the airport that you have here.”

Airports also connect pilots to our nation’s airways and the community to other communities in South Carolina and throughout the United States.

He said there are 18 airports in South Carolina that have secondary runways that need help. He said because these runways are so important, SCAC decided to find ways to fund the reconstruction projects, starting with Georgetown County, which was No.1 on the priority list.

“We are very excited to get this project done,” Siegfried said. “I’m looking forward to getting the first one checked off the list and seeing the great impact this runway brings to your great airport.”

He said the wind is a major concern for pilots in Georgetown County. When the winds are not blowing right down the primary runway, the secondary runway offers a better landing.

County Councilman Bob Anderson, who is a licensed pilot himself, agreed that it’s important to have a choice of runways.

“That’s a big deal, and to me that’s the number one thing,” Anderson said. “I’m really happy that we are finally doing this project.”

Clint Elliott, chair of Georgetown County Council, said he and other members are glad to contribute to the new runway project.

“It is not just an investment in infrastructure, but a commitment to safety, growth and opportunity for our county,” he said. “This project is a wonderful example of when our local and state partners work together.”

In addition to the Georgetown municipal airport, visitors to the Hammock Coast utilize the Myrtle Beach International Airport, about 15 minutes to the north, and the Charleston International Airport, about 90 minutes to the south.

By Clayton Stairs / tourism manager for the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce and South Carolina’s Hammock Coast®