The Greenville-Spartanburg Airport District will invest $8.6 million in infrastructure improvements, including the expansion of the airport’s air cargo apron and other improvements to support its growing freight business.

The US Economic Development Administration is providing a $5.2 million American Rescue Plan Act grant to support infrastructure improvements at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, according to a news release. The Airport District will match the grant with $3.4 million in local funds.

The improvements will include the extension of a road and utilities to facilitate the continued expansion of air cargo facilities at GSP, according to the press release.

GSP has worked aggressively over the past few years to increase cargo capacity, including a dedicated $33 million air cargo facility at the end of 2019 that increased the number of aircraft from one to three jumbo cargo that can load and unload at the same time. This project included a 17-acre deck. A year later, in September 2020, GSP reported that cargo volume had increased by 87% compared to the previous September.

In 2021, the airport saw a record 96,800 tons of cargo, an increase of more than 48 percent from 2020, the statement said. This total includes more than 47,600 tons of international cargo worth $5.46 billion, a 25.1% increase in value from 2020. In 2021, GSP was ranked No. 21 in the country in terms of tonnage of international freight handled, according to the press release. said, citing USTradeNumbers.com.

The airport routinely handles shipments to and from Europe for freight forwarder Senator International on behalf of various companies in the region. In 2021, the airport also hosted numerous ad hoc flights operated by major global airlines, including British Airways, Air Canada, TUI Airways, Condor and others, according to the statement. Through these operations, GSP and the district’s 100%-owned Cerulean Commercial Aviation division have been recognized by shippers for their ability to handle unique and expedited cargo shipments, said Dave Edwards, president and chief operating officer. direction of the airport district.

“We are delighted to accept this grant from the United States Economic Development Administration,” said Edwards. “The grant will allow the district to continue to invest in infrastructure that will allow air cargo operations to grow in the northern region of South Carolina. With these improvements, we will be well positioned to be a major player in the international supply chain.

The district recently broke ground on a 50,000 square foot extension to the existing air cargo facility, which is expected to be completed by the end of this summer.

The SC Appalachian Council of Governments helped the district secure the grant, according to the release.