In 2016, Richland County Council appointed me to the Airport Commission to, on behalf of my late wife, fulfill her term as Commissioner. Serving on the Commission has been a very rewarding and educating experience, and the opportunity has opened my eyes to the intricacies of airport operations and the benefits that Hamilton-Owens Airport provides to the Midlands. But even with this unique insight into Columbia’s gem-of-a-downtown airport, I only recently realized just how profoundly its operation impacts our local economy. The South Carolina Aeronautics Commission released its 2018 Statewide Aviation Economic Impact Report last month, revealing that Owens Field’s annual contribution to the Midlands economy exceeds $16 million. This astounding figure far exceeded my expectations, as well as the County Council’s, and has renewed my enthusiasm for advancing and improving the airport and its vital function in the community.

So far, 2018 has been a great year for the Airport Commission! This gleaming economic report came out only weeks after the grand opening of Hunter-Gatherer at Curtiss-Wright Hangar. My fellow Commissioners and our outstanding Airport Director, Chris Eversmann, would agree that seeing our efforts to have the Curtiss-Wright Hangar restored and rejuvenated come to full fruition is one of our proudest achievements to date. I look forward to seeing what other exciting things will unfold in 2018 for Hamilton-Owens Airport—the sky’s the limit! In the meantime, I hope to see you at Hunter-Gatherer!