Does Bryan County need an airport? Study to determine needs, size and location.

The city of Richmond Hill, Bryan County and the Development Authority of Bryan County are contributing $62,000 each for a comprehensive airport study.

DABC’s interim CEO Sean Register said there is a demand to have an airstrip and hangers for smaller aircrafts located on the south end of the county. He added that it could attract new industry but since the project is in the early stages, the county has not determined all the ways such an airport could be utilized.

“People from Savannah are having to store their planes in Metter and Hinesville and other places,” said Register. “Our community is excited about it. When there is a demand, you have to find research and find a solution that can satisfy a demand.”

The announcement was initially made during a recent county commissioner’s meeting. Multiple complaints came from the crowd as some felt $62,000 was too much for the study.

“This is for a small, industrial type airport that is being studied to determine the impact to the area from a positive standpoint,” said County Commissioner Patrick Kisgen during the meeting. “There is a lot to understand in terms of what could and what could not be done.”

Latrice Williams is a general assignment reporter covering Bryan and Effingham County. She can be reached at lwilliams6@gannett.com.