RICHMOND HILL, Ga. () – Discussions surrounding a prospective airport in Richmond Hill are gaining traction among local officials and residents, with many questioning its intended purpose.

The Bryan County Development Authority is one of the organizations leading the initiative, according to CEO Ryan Purvis, who mentioned the project is in its preliminary phases, resulting in limited public knowledge and numerous queries.

The lack of information that is off-putting to some residents, though.

“There’s more speculation occurring than factual discussion,” stated Richmond Hill local Bob Hovansian, “And it’s still very early in the process. What happens once it’s actually developed? How much of the information will be concealed at that point?”

The airport would be noncommercial, and will provide emergency landing strips for military, hospital, and private planes.

“There is a need in our region for this,” said Purvis, “This would be complimentary to what we have in Savannah with overflow of executive jets, and it provides an opportunity for landing pads for military and hospital planes. We have best interest of the citizens.” 

Still, some residents are raising eyebrows, and told they do not believe the need is there.

“The necessity for this is not there, and that this is more of a pipe dream for perhaps more affluent individuals to have their own private playgrounds, so to speak,” said Hovansian.

Purvis said the airport would increase tax revenue without increasing the burden on Bryan County Schools and infrastructure, and if the project is deemed financially unreasonable, the airport authority, or the governing body, will not go through with it.

“This is a great opportunity for us to increase tax revenue without increasing the burden on the school system’s infrastructure,” said Purvis, “We will be good stewards financially, and if this is not a financially viable option for Bryan County, we will not go through with it, but this is really a great opportunity for our citizens.”

That will be determined by a feasibility study which has come at the behest of the Development Authority and Bryan County and Richmond Hill governments in 2024. Purvis said the results are still pending.

Purvis also said more questions will be answered once an airport authority is established, whereas they would be the agency answering those questions. The agency, he said, would be created after the feasibility study.

However, Hovansian said a project of this stature should require more input from residents.

“My wish is that going forward that the citizenry that pays these taxes be much more involved in the development process, and, you know, you’re always going to have your deterrence,” he said. “But my personal opinion is if you let people know what you’re doing up front, you have far more of a chance of getting their approval for doing it rather than hiding the details.”