Brad Beadles

The 'FLO Upward' initiative is a multifaceted, 10-year strategic plan aimed at revitalizing and growing the Florence Regional Airport and the City of Florence. It prioritizes enhancing safety, improving the passenger experience, and supporting long-term growth through key infrastructure projects. The plan includes modernizing the passenger terminal, upgrading TSA security, constructing a new FAA control tower, extending runways for air cargo operations, building new warehouses for intermodal transit, and establishing a new rail line connection. These improvements are designed to catalyze economic growth, create jobs, and position the airport as an economic engine for the Pee Dee Region.

The meeting included an administrative and finance committee report, which highlighted the closeout of the CARES Grant and the completion of the Hangar Project. The air service committee report reviewed the November 2023 Enplanement Report and Load Factor History Report, with a discussion on tracking passenger data for American Airlines flights. The properties and projects committee reported on a construction meeting regarding the corporate and box hangars, as well as the Rehabilitate Taxiways project. The Airport Authority also went into an Executive Session, after which it was announced that no action was taken.

The meeting included updates on financial performance, with discussions on revenue underbudgeting in rental car and parking offset by interest from the LGIP. The 2024 proposed budget was accepted. Air service updates included enplanement and load factor data, with plans for continued data collection and a meeting with American Airlines. Construction updates covered progress on corporate and box hangars, taxiway rehabilitation, and the FAA ACIP Call for Projects. The completion of the road to the FBOP and painting of Open Hangars were noted. The retirement of the Airport Accounting Tech was announced.

The meeting included discussion of the March 2023 flow sheet, the March 2023 enplanement report and load factor history report. The board recommended reaching out to Mike Mooney, the Air Service Consultant, to discuss American's scheduling and explore other revenue streams, and recommended getting a written strategic plan from the consultant. Updates were provided on the Corporate and Box Hangars construction, the Rehabilitate Taxiways project, and the Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) Application. The installation of new entrance sliding doors in the terminal was reported, and the Airport will sponsor a table at the Dillon Pregnancy Crisis Center event. Updates were given on CARES Grant Funding transactions and the Airport's Investment Account. The search for a new attorney was temporarily paused, and there was an update on the New Entrance Sign and the new electric charging stations.

The meeting included discussions and reports from various committees, including the Administrative and Finance Committee, the Air Service Committee, and the Properties and Projects Committee. The Properties and Projects Committee discussed the hangar construction, the status of the Rehabilitate Taxiways project, the Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) application, and a Pre-Grant Meeting with the FAA regarding upcoming runway and taxiway projects. The Airport Authority also went into an Executive Session, during which no action was taken.