"The economy has to pick up before we have the money to do anything." — Hoke Parris Cherokee County Council Chairman on proposed county airport project Cherokee County Council wants more definitive financial numbers before it commits to acquiring land for an airport.

Council members balked at a request Monday from airport commission chairman Vic Sarratt to enter into talks with Pacolet Milliken to acquire 209 acres and various parcels immediately east of the Milliken property to build an airport near the Broad River.

Citing interest from the state National Guard, Sarratt pushed for county council to approve spending money on engineering, surveys and the land acquisition so the airport project can move forward.

Cherokee County is the only county in the state without an airport.

"It's hard to suggest aviation has a part in our economy without first having an airport," Sarratt said.

In April, W.K. Dickson estimated it will cost $45.8 million to build the airport.

Sarratt said he believes the airport cost estimates submitted by W.K. Dickson are greatly inflated.

Sarratt said changes in the runway design and partnerships with other groups like the nearby DSE ammunition plant and the South Carolina National Guard could cut the airport project cost in half.

"The South Carolina National Guard has been contacted and is interested in using the designated site as a training site for construction battalions working up for deployment," Sarratt said. "If we timely provided a site for work up to deployment, it could effect up to a $12 million savings in construction cost if W.K. Dickson estimates are used."

Federal and state government would pay for the majority of the construction costs for an airport. The county's share is estimated at $1.2 million.

County council chairman Hoke Parris said the council will need a clearer idea on its financial obligations for the airport project before it makes a further commitment.

"The economy has to pick up before we have the money to do anything," Parris said.

While supportive of the airport, council member Quay Little said he cannot in good conscience commit local taxpayer money without a guarantee from the Federal Aviation Administration that the county will recover its initial investment in the airport project.