Industrial recruitment grounded?

By LARRY HILLIARD Ledger Staff Writer larry@gaffneyledger.com

When a company looking to locate a facility in the Upstate sought information about the county, local development officials didn't respond.

The reason?

The aircraft parts subcontractor needed access to an airport with at least a 3,000 foot runway.

Cherokee is the lone county in the state without an airport.

"Here is a good example of a RFI(Request for Information) that we can't even compete for," Cherokee County Development Board Director Jim Cook wrote in an email to a county official.

When asked about the e-mail, Cook acknowledged that a lack of an airport landing strip hampers his recruitment efforts.

"Not having an airport potentially eliminates us from certain companies that need an airport," Cook said. "If the airport project takes off, it would help out considerably."

Cherokee County Council is apparently listening.

Earlier this month, council agreed to expand the current 3-member airport commission to as many as 10 members. Each council member has the option of appointing a member, who isn't required to reside in that council member's district.

The three existing commission members - John Travers, Vic Sarratt and Bill Van Antwerp - would serve as at-large appointees.

Cherokee County Councilman Bailey Humphries said the existing commission members need additional manpower to complete their site selection work.

The airport commission has been busy selecting potential sites for the proposed facility.

A feasibility report estimated that 577 acres would be required for the airport, with 192 acres being acquired in fee simple or easement.