The Jim Hamilton-L.B. Owens Airport continues to play a major role in our community
The Jim Hamilton-L.B. Owens Airport serves as an aviation threshold and portal to our local community and the Midlands.
In fact, this year is our downtown airport’s 90th anniversary.
Our airport has been the location of development by the Wright Brother’s company.
It has also served as the site for a visit by Amelia Earhart and military training for World War II.
It has played a vital role in our community during its history, and it continues to do so today.
A valuable resource
Our downtown airport serves as a base for local law enforcement: the Richland County Sheriff’s Department uses the airport for its helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft that patrol our community and keep us safe.
The airport is also a location for aircraft maintenance, and that local industry employs numerous trade persons who are educated and skilled in power plants, air frames and avionics.
And the Jim Hamilton-L.B. Owens Airport also serves as a designated reliever airport for the Columbia Metropolitan Airport as an emergency facility.
It is designated to relieve airspace congestion at Columbia Metro, as well as provide improved general aviation access to the overall community.
An economic engine
In addition the Jim Hamilton-L.B. Owens Airport serves as a threshold for over $5 million in visitor spending alone.
And on an annual basis, the airport has a total $16.12 million direct and indirect economic impact for the region; of that amount, more than $688,000 is contributed to state tax revenues.
Huge impact
For most folks, however, aviation is not a cognizant part of their daily life — other than the occasional aircraft they may hear above them each day.
Unless you’re a pilot or someone employed in or affiliated with an aviation-related field, you may be unaware of all the things that general aviation airports do for us.
Through airport activities and operations at the Jim Hamilton-L.B. Owens Airport, we support local organizations and industries that include:
▪ Construction industries and trades.
▪ IT industries.
▪ Realtors.
▪ Professional services and consultant industries.
▪ Fuel suppliers.
▪ Airport services operators and other aviation-related businesses.
▪ Military aviation.
▪ General aviation.
▪ Flight training.
▪ Aviation-related training and employment opportunities.
▪ Insurance services.
▪ Financial services.
▪ Airbnbs.
▪ Ground transportation industries.
▪ Hospitality industries (including hotels and restaurants).
▪ Athletics and affiliated events and venues.
▪ Tourism and eco-tourism.
▪ Local charities.
▪ University operations and financial development.
And the list goes on.
A major player
According to a report done by the consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, general aviation nationwide employed 273,500 workers in 2018 while indirectly supporting 1.2 million jobs — and keeping a fleet of more than 211,000 aircraft flying for business and individual operators.
So though we are just a small public airport, the Jim Hamilton-L.B. Owens Airport plays an important role in our community, state and national infrastructure.
Our stewardship of such an important asset is crucial.
In fact, it is an irreplaceable asset — and its role in the fabric of our community is just as significant as its role in the fabric of the aviation industry. across the world.
Joel McCreary is the chairman of the Richland County Airport Commission.
This story was originally published September 4, 2020 at 11:14 AM.