Page 66 - Florence County, SC Florence County 2032: Connecting Our Past, Defining Our Future

Existing County | Transportation

Airports

The South Carolina Aeronautics Commission lists eight airports in Florence County. These include private, single
aircraft sites across the County. However, there are three airports that are larger and serve a greater population of
aircraft.
private and public
The corporate powers and duties of the Pee Dee Regional Airport District are exercised and performed through
the Pee Dee Regional Airport Authority. The Authority has nine members; two members are nominated to
represent the City of Florence, three members are nominated by Florence County, and two members are
nominated each by Marion and Dillon Counties. Upon nomination, the Governor reviews the nomination and
typically appoints the member to serve a four-year term on the Authority. Each Authority member may serve two
four-year terms until replaced by another.

Photo by Florence Regional Airport.
The creation of the Florence Regional Airport began in 1928 when local leaders purchase 300 acres of land for
the purpose of developing an Airport. With the onset of World War II, the War Department acquired an additional
1,400 acres and used the site as an Army Air Corps training base. During the war years, P-39 Aircobra, P-40
Warhawk, Pursuit/Fighter aircraft, and A-20 Havoc and A-26 Marauder light attack/bomber aircraft crews and
support personnel trained here. Following the war, the property was deeded back to the City of Florence and later
split with Florence County. The Florence City-County Airport Commission governed the Airport until the state
legislature created the Pee Dee Regional Airport District in 1999. The Airport District is a political subdivision of
the State of South Carolina and encompasses Dillon, Florence and Marion Counties.
The other two airports that serve a greater population and multiple aircraft include the Lake City Municipal CJ
Evans Field and Huggins Memorial in Timmonsville.

Florence County, SC | Comprehensive Plan pg. 65