More trees, flowers and bushes are coming to Airport Boulevard in Cayce.

The City of Cayce voted on Aug. 20 to move forward with a plan to improve Airport Boulevard as a part of the Midlands Regional Gateway Project. It is a multi-phase beautification and civic cooperation initiative spearheaded by the Midlands Business Leadership Group (MBLG) for the Columbia Metro area.

Part of the project includes a one-mile stretch of Airport Boulevard from I-26 and S.C. 302 toward the Airport Expressway. At the Aug. 20, Cayce City Council meeting, a MBLG grant of $609,749 was accepted.

“We will use the money to give the area close to the airport a massive facelift,” said Cayce City Councilman Hunter Sox, who represents Dist. 3, where the money will be spent.

The beautification effort involves new landscaping, irrigation systems, and specific plant selections that change with the seasons. Some of the beautification efforts began last year. Overall, the MBLG project focuses on improving eight gateway corridors located within a 10-mile radius of the State House in downtown Columbia. Lexington County allocated approximately $500,000 to the Airport Boulevard project.

Chason Landscaping was awarded the bid to do the work in Cayce. Sox said he is excited to have Cayce taking the lead on the aesthetic upgrade and he noted that the grant covers the area from the airport to I-26. He said it is a great first step, but more needs to be done on Airport Boulevard because it is the first impression air travelers get of the area.

Sox also said, in 2026, the SC Department of Transportation will resurface Airport Boulevard from the Airport Expressway to Knox Abbott Drive. He called the resurfacing “a much-needed improvement for one of Cayce’s busiest corridors. But I believe this project can and should go further than basic repaving.”

“I’m actively advocating to retrofit this stretch with sidewalks and streetscaping to better match the walkable, visually appealing design of Knox Abbott Drive. These upgrades would make the corridor safer for pedestrians and more inviting for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.”

Cayce City Manager Mike Conley said the grant has been in the works for a long time. He also said it’s a “great project for the Airport Corridor” and he called it a “win-win” for the City of Cayce.

Tim James, Cayce Mayor Pro-Tem, said the project allows Cayce to come together with neighboring municipalities and Richland County to make the whole area look better.

Councilman Byron Thomas said that the designation for Columbia Metropolitan Airport is “CAE” because it’s in Cayce and the city takes pride in leading the effort to beautify Airport Boulevard. Council Phil Carter also endorsed the project.

The MBLG initiative focuses on improving the following high-traffic corridors:

• Airport Boulevard: One-mile stretch from I-26 and S.C. 302 toward the Airport Expressway.
• Fort Jackson: The I-77 and Forest Drive interchange.
• Lexington Gateway: I-20 and U.S. 1.
• Harbison Gateway: I-26 and Harbison Boulevard.
• Downtown Connector Gateway: I-20 and S.C. 277.
• Malfunction Junction: The interchange of I-20 and I-26.
• I-20 and I-77.
• I-77 and I-26.