Airport economic study discussed

It's a question that will likely decide the fate of the county's airport project - What impact will an airport have on the local economy?

County leaders will know the answer in about six months.

Columbia-based engineering firm W.K. Dickson met with county leaders last Monday to discuss the economic impact study.

Cherokee County Councilman Bailey Humphries described the meeting as productive.

"We don't want them to be in a hurry," Humphries said. "We want to make sure it's a thorough study."

Dickson, with the help of an economist, will have six months to complete the study.

Humphries said he wants the study to tell council members the number of jobs an airport would generate.

In March, state officials agreed to pick up one-half of the cost of the economic study, which could total as much as $95,000. The county agreed to cap its share of the study at $50,000.

The money would come from the county's airport fund and capital projects fund.

State officials also pledged to include Cherokee County in its state airport plan that will be forwarded to federal aviation officials.