Most everyone in the community has seen the airplanes flying in and out of the airport at some point in time. We have a passing thought of “there’s an airplane coming in and taking off that’s pretty neat”. We do not think much more about it. However, the airport is a functioning business the City of Walterboro and Colleton County, and it offers benefits to the community that we as citizens may not have thought of before. The property Lowcountry Regional Airport—airport code “RBW” (short for Radio Base Walterboro) sits on has been functioning in the field of aviation in some capacity since World War II. The Tuskegee Airmen trained in this area when the site was the Walterboro Army Airfield. A POW camp and base hospital were also on the property. According to Airport Manager, Mr. B. Duffie, the airport was deeded to the City of Walterboro and Colleton County from the United States government with the condition the property would continue to be used as a public airport. As a part of the conveyance, the federal government sold the industrial area to the City of Walterboro and Colleton County. This conveyance has permitted the County to establish and maintain the public recreational facilities which has been used by county citizens for decades. The industrial area has drawn business to the County which provides a positive economic impact for the City and County.
The airport also hosts private businesses that operate on the airfield. Currently there are a total of five private businesses operating on airport grounds, and three of them are owned and operated by Colleton County residents. These businesses provide an assortment of aviation-based service to county residents. Numerous Colleton County citizens park and store their aircraft on airport grounds. Currently there are 45 aircraft based at RBW and some of these planes provide property tax revenue for the county. The passengers and crews from the private aircraft coming into the airport stay in the hotels in the area, eat at local restaurants, shop at local stores, and rent cars. All this retail activity brings more revenue to local businesses. These private aircraft also purchase fuel at the airport for the next leg of their trip. The Goodyear Blimp is one such private aircraft that stops over at RBW for fuel much to the delight of local children and adults.
In addition to providing economic benefits and opportunities, the RBW assists with the safety of the community. It provides training grounds and a firing range to assist the Walterboro Police Department and the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office. The airport also provides training grounds for Colleton County Fire-Rescue. In addition, the airport helps with the quality of healthcare for their neighbors. The location of the airport and accessibility of fuel and services from an airport-based business enables a medical transport helicopter to be based at Colleton Medical Center rather at another facility.
The airport is also involved in the education of adults and children in the county about aviation. RBW works with organizations such as USC Salkehatchie, EAA Chapter Young Eagles, Civil Air Patrol, and K-12 schools.
RBW even reaches into recreation for the county and city. They maintain the Walterboro Army Airfield Memorial Park where there is a memorial for The Tuskegee Airmen for citizens and tourists alike. The airport also leases the recreational soccer field on Sydneys Road to the County. The Wildfire Soccer Club has used this property for their soccer programs for many years.
The airport currently employs 6 county residents: 4 full time and 2 part time. All this activity brings money, employment, education, and community involvement into the area. The City of Walterboro and Colleton County are fortunate to have a positive partnership with the Lowcountry Regional Airport.
