In December 2004, the County purchased a 150-acre airport from the Town of Pelion. In Jun e 2006 a fuel farm was installed that allows pilots to purchase 100LL gas anytime with their credit cards at a price competitive with other local airports. Useful internet resources for Lexington County's aviation gas prices and airport information are www.100ll.com and www.airnav.com.
The county already has a waiting list for a dozen planned hangars. The $22,000 per year in revenue they generate is expected to pay for the operations. The county also anticipates receiving at least $150,000 a year in federal grants from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and plans to compete for other FAA grants.
Planners say the dozen flights that use the airstrip daily could easily grow to seventy in a few years with other added amenities such as a runway extension, runway electrical and lighting system replacement, apron and taxiway improvements. Such projects hinge on the availability of grant funds and expected payback, mainly from the new businesses that would come if those features were added. Planners recommend $5.2 million in such improvements by 2010 to attract more traffic. The county paid $225,000 for the facility in 2004.
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