Florence Airport Plans Rail Revival to Boost SC Economy

A regional airport in South Carolina is dusting off a decades-old railway and turning it into the centerpiece of an ambitious comeback story.

Florence Regional Airport announced plans to rehabilitate its direct rail line, which shut down in the 1970s, as part of a ten-year strategy to revitalize the facility and strengthen the local economy. The railway will connect the airport directly to Port Dillon and Charleston Port, creating a rare plane-to-rail cargo transfer system.

"Not many airports have direct rail access on their airport," said Brad Beadles, the airport's executive director. "If you have an advantageous position, capitalize on it."

The airport is already in talks with contractors and applying for grants to fund the railway rehabilitation. Beadles, who joined the airport 16 months ago, said the facility has been "very neglected" and deserves a second chance.

Beyond the rail project, the airport is working to bring back commercial airlines after Delta's departure in 2011 caused passenger numbers to plummet from 166,000 to just 44,000. Beadles is currently in discussions with SkyWest, American, and even Delta about returning to Florence.

The timing aligns with South Carolina's population growth, which continues to expand across the state. Beadles sees the airport improvements as essential infrastructure to support Florence County's economic development and attract new industries to the Pee Dee region.

The Ripple Effect

The railway revival could do more than move cargo. By offering unique logistics capabilities that few regional airports can match, Florence could attract manufacturing and distribution companies looking for efficient transportation options.

Every passenger who chooses Florence over larger airports in Myrtle Beach, Charlotte, or Columbia also sends a signal to airlines that the community supports its local airport. That growing demand makes carriers more willing to add routes and increase service.

The airport's transformation represents a broader shift as mid-sized communities invest in infrastructure to compete for economic growth. What seemed like an abandoned asset is becoming Florence County's competitive advantage.

Beadles hopes the improvements will show businesses "what the airport can possibly do in the future to provide more attractiveness to industry" coming into the region. Sometimes progress means looking backward to move forward.