Bryan County community shares feedback on airport proposal

RICHMOND HILL, Ga. (WTOC) - The Bryan County community is sharing feedback on the on-going airport project. A recent study recommends a 300-acre airport with 14 hangers for the growing area.

During Monday night’s meeting, the Richmond Hill Bryan County Airport Authority opened the floor to public comment. Thirteen people signed up to speak, and many shared their frustration with the airport project.

“A quarter million dollars of studies throughout the county, but you’re still having infrastructure problems and flooding, road congestion,” said one resident. “So maybe we should start worrying about what’s in Bryan County instead of fantasizing about things.”

Residents also shared concerns about using bonds to pay for the $128 million airport.

“I agree, the airport needs to have the commercial traffic,” said one resident. “You need to have the companies like Hyundai, like Collins, whoever be able to fly in, but keep it to where it’s affordable for the everyday person.”

Others shared concerns about having more transparency on the project. This includes sharing more details about the location of airport and plans to grow the airport in the future.

“That is a military operating area,” shared one resident. “That’s where they have fighters fly. That is where they have drones fly. It is extremely unsafe.”

One person, a professional pilot, spoke in support of an airport coming to Bryan County. He says a non-commercial airport would provide STEM education and help flight schools train future pilots. He also says there is a need for more hanger space, with pilots looking to Metter and Statesboro to house their planes.