Hilton Head airport receives $11.6M in federal funding. Here’s how the money will be spent
(Editor’s note: This article was changed to reflect the amount of new funding, which was incorrectly reported by the source.)
The Hilton Head Airport wants to expand its terminal, but it needs $53 million to complete the project.
New federal funds totaling $11,626,638 million move the airport closer to its goal. The new funds come from the Federal Aviation Administration.
The expansion includes:
- 43,000 more square feet of terminal space
- Three more passenger jet ways
- Additional parking space
- Security upgrades
- New baggage claim
- Grand hall
- Four-lane passenger drop‐off and pick-up area
“Tourism is one, if not the biggest, industry in our district. This grant, to expand the existing terminal at Hilton Head, will allow more people to come to visit, stay, and help grow the local economy,” said Congresswoman Nancy Mace in a press release announcing the USDOT grant. “I look forward to seeing these expansions firsthand in the months and years to come.”
Currently, the airport has received:
- $21.6 million from the FAA.
$12 million from the state
- $2 million from Beaufort County
Ophardt added the money is enough for two plus years of work on the airport, and the county will continue to try and secure more funds to fully pay for the new terminal.
Construction is slated to begin during the 2022-2023 winter, and the three-year project is expected to be completed in 2025.
The plans to expand come at a time when the airport is busier than ever. In the years leading up to the pandemic, the airport saw a 200% increase in passengers, according to previous reporting by The Island Packet. In 2021, Hilton Head had a maximum of 25 departures per day.
The planned expansion follows a runway upgrade in 2018 that allowed bigger planes to land at the airport.
Experts predict the project will have a $150 million impact on the region.
This story was originally published July 27, 2022 at 2:37 PM.
