Notwithstanding another provision of law, the Richland-Lexington Airport Commission may make application to the Foreign-Trade Zones Board for the purpose of establishing, operating, and maintaining foreign-trade zones in Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Clarendon, Edgefield, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lee, Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, Richland, Saluda, and Sumter counties, under the act of Congress known as the Foreign-Trade Zones Act, which provides for the establishment, operation, and maintenance of foreign-trade zones in the United States.

The commission shall select and describe the location of the zones for which application may be made and shall make such regulations concerning the operation, maintenance, and policing of them as may be necessary to insure compliance with the Foreign-Trade Zones Act and for other appropriate purposes.

The commission has the authority to own, erect, maintain, and operate or lease any structures or buildings or enclosures as may be necessary or proper for establishing, operating, and maintaining such foreign-trade zones within Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Clarendon, Edgefield, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lee, Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, Richland, Saluda, and Sumter counties.

The authority granted to the commission confers the right, duty, and power to do all things necessary and proper to achieve compliance with the Foreign-Trade Zones Act and to carry into effect the establishing, operating, and maintaining of foreign-trade zones within Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Clarendon, Edgefield, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lee, Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, Richland, Saluda, and Sumter counties.