Do airport hangars translate to jobs?

 

An Oconee County committee gave thought today to how additional airplane parking at the county’s airport near Clemson would enhance the county’s quest for economic development.  It’s a given that the airport is an authentic tool for the potential to attract economic development, but what arose this morning at Pine Street had to do with building new airport hangars to lease to the owners of airplanes.  The scene this morning was a meeting of the county’s Capital Project Advisory Committee which used a 1-to-10-ranking to recommend the importance of building a 14-space hangar.  There’s a waiting list of the owners of 60 airplanes, but committee member Mike Johnson questioned how many of the 60 are recreation pilots compared to corporate airplane owners.  And Scott Moulder, county administrator, admitted Johnson makes a good point.  A score from the committee is to be sent to the county planning commission which will consider the importance of the hangar project.