The Southern Carolina Alliance

6 7 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 9, ISSUE 11 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 9, ISSUE 11 Ridgeland-Claude Dean Airport (3J1) in Jasper County is an airport that is on the verge of greatness. As a result of the $23 million already spent and the additional $6 million scheduled to be spent, the airport will become a full-service professional airport. Jasper County is basically building a new airport on the campus of the old airport, according to Development Services Division Director and Acting Airport Manager Danny Lucas. Phases 1 - 4 included a 215-acre land purchase, construction of a new runway and parallel taxiway, construction of a new 84,000 square- foot jet ramp, construction of a 32-stall parking lot and laying the groundwork literally and figuratively for new facilities. In 2020, the new 4,200-foot runway and parallel taxiway were opened. The former 2,672-foot runway was turned into a taxiway. Already there are plans underway to extend the new runway another 1,200 feet, although Lucas admits that the extension is a number of years away. A modular temporary terminal/fixed base operation (FBO) has opened. Furniture and fixtures have also been installed. “We are in the latter stages of the design of the permanent terminal/FBO,” said Lucas. “We are in Phase 5 now,” said Lucas. That includes installation of an Automated Weather Observation Station, creation of a permanent terminal / fixed base operation, an instrument landing system, building 12-unit T-hangars, and SOUTHERN CAROL INA ALL IANCE another ramp. One recent project that is having a huge impact on the airport is the installation of two 12,000-gallon fuel tanks and trucks. “The airport is now selling aviation gasoline and jet fuel,” stated Lucas. He said he hopes Ridgeland-Claude Dean will be a full-service airport by the end of 2026 although construction and delivery timelines have been impacted by Covid, companies experiencing labor challenges, and supply-chain issues. The SCAC study reported 1,540 visitors annually to the Ridgeland airport. Ridgeland - Claude Dean Airport is approximately 40 minutes from Bluffton, 50 minutes to Hilton Head Island and 60 minutes to Savannah. The airport is “a gateway to the community,” said Lucas. “Jasper County Council wants make sure the new airport makes a positive impression upon business and recreational visitors. In addition, we are eight minutes away from the PGA-class golf course, Congaree.” The CJ Cup held at Congaree in October resulted in 8 golfers arriving in private jets and 4 private aircraft carrying spectators. Lucas reported that 18 jets and 3 turbo props visited the airport during the tournament. Additionally, 4,073 gallons of fuel was sold during the tournament.