BRYAN COUNTY, Ga. () – A new airport could be coming to Bryan County in the near future, but many residents said they don’t support it.

Monday was the first meeting of the Bryan County Airport Authority in Richmond Hill, and it was the first opportunity for locals to air their concerns about the possibility of a new airport in their backyard.

“I do not understand why we are going forward with new projects when we have not fixed current infrastructure problems we have, i.e. drainage problems, flooding problems,” Bryan County resident Cynthia said during the public comment portion of the meeting.

Almost all who gave public comment at the meeting said they’re against the project, putting the board on defense at their very first meeting.
“I think that the city and anyone responsible for this has not made any real effort to be in touch with us,” Bryan County resident Gloria said.

Some questioned who will really benefit from an airport.

“Obviously most people in Bryan County don’t own an aircraft. Bryan County as whole, I think the report said there were about 35 people,” Corey Foreman, who lives in Bryan County and is running to represent Georgia’s State Senate District 1, said. “We have 45 almost 50,000 residents within Bryan County. So, 35 people doesn’t justify the greater good for everybody.”

Still, some argued the impact on residents would be minimal because the airport will cater mostly to private planes, emergency landings for the military, and medical aircraft.

“I do think there’s a significant divide between the local public’s understanding and what the facts are,” Bryan County resident and aircraft owner Brian Leftwich said. “If the local public saw the number of aircraft, the amount of traffic, they would have a change of mind.”

Bryan County Airport Authority members emphasized that the project is not expected to be any additional cost to taxpayers.

“The FAA formula lays out 90% federal, 5% state, 5% local, and the local entity is the airport authority in this case,” Chair of the Richmond Hill-Bryan County Airport Authority Trip Addison said in reference to how the airport would be funded. “The purpose of today’s meeting was clearly laid out in the legislation to be organizational. It wasn’t to conduct a whole bunch of business.”

Following the meeting, though, many members of the public remained skeptical.

“I feel like they’re trying to shove this through, and we’re just really not about that,” Bryan County resident Julie Pecenka said.

According to the board, there will be additional opportunities for residents to give public comment at upcoming meetings.

However, ultimately the airport authority will have final say on the project.