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Aviation Creates $4.3 billion annual output in SC

Aviation Creates Jobs and Economic Opportunity in SC
Sector attributed for 65,000+ jobs, $4.3 billion annual output

Columbia, SC - Today the South Carolina Department of Commerce unveiled the results of a major economic impact study for the state’s aviation industry at the South Carolina Aviation Association’s annual conference in Myrtle Beach. The study demonstrates the significant economic impact that the state’s airports, aviation sector and military airfields have on South Carolina’s economy, including aviation’s role in creating jobs, supporting businesses, boosting the tax base, providing national security and fostering tourism, to name a few.

According to the report, “Airports are critical to South Carolina’s growth and economic diversification” and they enhance our citizens’ quality of life. An estimated 65,533 jobs are supported by aviation in the state, paying an estimated payroll of $1.9 billion. The report also finds that aviation generates a $4.3 billion annual economic impact and that airports and aviation contribute nearly $73.6 million each year in tax benefits to the state and its counties.

Among the benefits provided by aviation as cited by participants of the survey, which included some 3,000 South Carolina business owners and managers as well as representatives from the transportation, telecommunications, engineering/consulting and utility sectors, are:

• An estimated 40 percent of South Carolina’s employers rely on general aviation to support their business activities.

• Participants indicated that without a high quality commercial and general aviation airport system, an estimated 12 percent of their employment in South Carolina could be adversely affected.

• More than 20,000 jobs in South Carolina are supported by the spending of visitors who arrive by air.

• Since 1990, jobs at general aviation and commercial airports increased by 87%, annual payroll increased by 248% and total economic out increased by 182%.

“We have always known, intuitively, that general aviation is a contributor to the South Carolina economy, and this report now gives us quantitative evidence of its critical role,” said Neel Hipp, chairman of the South Carolina Aeronautics Commission. “General aviation supports so many of the other parts of our state"s economy including tourism and business travel, and there is a significant economic payback to the investment we make in our aviation infrastructure.”

“Aviation is another strong component in our economic development toolbox, and it continues to play a critical role in recruiting new jobs and industry to our state,” said Secretary of Commerce Bob Faith. “Similar to our efforts to foster our state’s ports, railways and highway infrastructure, maintaining a first class airport system is vitally important to our South Carolina’s future success.”

The report cites the importance of a first class airport system to the state and recommends a strategic plan to invest in, maintain and grow commercial and general aviation airports as being a critical component of South Carolina’s economic future.

Through its Division of Aeronautics, Commerce contracted with Wilbur Smith to conduct the study which was funded in part by a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

You can find more information at www.scaeronautics.com.