Members and guests were welcomed to the January 16 club meeting by Co-President, Sonny Huntley
Kevin Courtney offered the prayer and led the pledge to the flag
Announcements:
Thursday February 1 will be a social. It will be a Bourbon Tasting hosted by Eric Schmidt at his home at 51 Myrtle Bank Road on Hilton Head Plantation. It will be held from 6 to 8 pm and will be a "vertical tasting". There is no charge to attend, however donations to the Rotary Foundation will be solicited.
Sign up sheet is circulating and please indicate if you need a pass.
Kristin Keller announced that on March 23 there will be opportunity to volunteer at Wing Fest.
Sergeant at Arms, Suzi Oliver collected Happy $$
Speaker:
Jon Rembold, Airport Director, provided us an update on the Hilton Head Island Airport project.
Hilton Head Airport is striving to be the best airport is in Phase 1 of its expansion program. It, along with Beaufort Executive Airport are focused on keeping Southern Hospitality at the forefront. The Airport does not get any tax dollars directly. It is able to host events like 5K and Concours and wants to continue to do that and improve the facilities for more events. Air service has expanded over the years with the biggest demand being in the northeast. They work in concert with the Chamber of Commerce to do marketing and has been successful. The airport was built in the 60's and since that time there has been a lot of development around its borders which affects its growth somewhat. Currently work is being done to rebuild the Terminal - the whole front will be covered, there will be four gates, it will be lighter colors. Each waiting area will be as big as the whole area is not.
The new building will be triple its current size - going from 20,000 sq ft to 60,000 sq ft. The baggage area will have a carousel! The First Phase is expected to take two years. January '26 the boarding gates are expected to open. First Phase expansion of the building is taking place to the right and front. The Airport owns property on Hunter Road north of UPS & Fed Ex. Other businesses have moved. The entire project is expected to take three to four years. Visit hiltonheadairport.com to learn more.