Thanks to 28 generous Beaufort residents, more than $18,000 has been pledged to improve Beaufort’s airport.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

Contributing $12.5 million to Beaufort’s economy in 2017 but not funded by county tax dollars, the airport did not have the funds necessary to increase its secure accessibility, so the Beaufort Aviation Association, through its non-profit, Beaufort Airport Friends and the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, decided in late-April to assist by donating an automatic, code-accessible gate to replace a locked gate.

By mid-May, the association secured the funds to donate the gate through the generosity of its members, Secession Golf Club, and a Spring Island resident. The offer to install the gate was accepted that month by the county, similar to donations by the Friends of Hunting Island and Friends of Fort Fremont. The gate is expected to be installed soon and will increase the airport’s security.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

The donors include Dan Ahern, Trey Ambrose, James and Sandra Atkins, Tim Brown, Mandy Burgin, Chris Butler, Tom and Bonnie Downs, Keith Guest, Ken and Terri Howell, Steve and Shelley Karol, Frieder Kemmann, Graham Kerr, Kevin McGuire, David Mixson, Derek Richardson, Mike Rainey, Pat Rainey,<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp; </span>Don Sanders, Secession Golf Club, Charles Sprietsma, Jean Sulc, Will Tucker, Tim Verroii, and Wally Wallace.

For additional information contact James P. Atkins, President of the Beaufort Aviation Association, at jamesatkins100@gmail.com.