Business View Magazine l November 2022

236 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 9, ISSUE 11 rolina Southern Carolina Region T he hum of an engine overhead is more than just a motor powering a small airplane over treetops; it’s an economic engine that is powering the Southern Carolina region South Carolina has 57 airports, six of which are commercial service airports while the rest are considered “general aviation” airports. Those 57 airports generate $16.3 billion annually in economic activity in the state of South Carolina, according to a 2018 study commissioned by the South Carolina Aeronautics Commission. In the Southern Carolina Alliance region (which includes the counties of Allendale, Barnwell, Bamberg, Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper), over $220 million in economic activity is generated annually as a result of the one commercial and seven general aviation airports located here. This economic activity doesn’t even include impact generated by the military base in Beaufort. In 2018, these eight airports accounted for 1,739 jobs with a payroll of over $60.6 million. The vast majority of the jobs were created by Hilton Head Island Airport, however 453 jobs were generated at the general aviation airports, according to the SCAC study. While those economic impact numbers are significant, area airport managers say the numbers have risen dramatically since the report was generated. Covid was actually a boon, they say, because county airports offered less restrictions and greater ability for people to travel in small groups. The airports are able to record “airport