The Aiken Regional Airport is celebrating S.C. Aviation Week on Monday.
The promotion includes remarks from U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., around 9 a.m. and an open house starting at 10 a.m.
The event is free and open to the public.
S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster declared Aug. 19-25 to be S.C. Aviation Week in a recent proclamation that also noted the importance of the state’s 60 general aviation airports, six commercial airports and five military airfields.
Aviation and airports throughout the state support 122,000 jobs with an estimated yearly payroll of $4.8 billion, according to S.C. Aviation Association information. At least $16 billion of economic activity in the state can be traced back to the aviation industry annually, according to the same information.
Monday’s event involves both the S.C. Aviation Association and S.C. Aeronautics Commission.
Steve Gould, the aviation association’s president, said the celebration is all about education and future development.
“As part of the aviation community in South Carolina, I want to make every effort to help educate the public on the importance of maintaining and growing aviation in South Carolina in an effort to encourage economic development,” Gould said in a prepared statement.