County may add double hangar at airport
The publicly-owned facility is expected to attract more aviation-related businesses once the runway is extended.
The publicly-owned facility is expected to attract more aviation-related businesses once the runway is extended.
The Floyd County Commission is considering construction of a double hangar at Richard B. Russell Regional Airport to help lure aviation-related industry to the publicly owned facility.
County Manager Jamie McCord said the building would cost an estimated $300,000 to $400,000 and take advantage of the utilities and pavement installed near the north terminal through an Appalachian Regional Commission grant.
“We’re going to extend that runway, so we need to think ahead,” he told the board during a planning session Wednesday.
While the Rome Floyd Chamber is advertising the space, it also could be leased to out-oftown pilots who want to store their planes overnight. Commission Chair Rhonda Wallace said corporate jet insurance policies typically require enclosed storage, so many pilots drop their clients off and fly to Atlanta to wait for the return trip.
Chamber President and CEO Al Hodge said the airport would be getting more attention from businesses once the runway is lengthened to 7,000 feet. The 2013 special purpose, local option sales tax package contains $5.7 million for the project, which is expected to get underway next year.
The Georgia Northwestern Technical College Aviation Training Center, which is based there, also is a draw.
“We will be marketing it aggressively,” he assured the board.
Commissioners have asked for more details on the cost and the potential for temporary and long-term leasing. The Floyd County Airport Commission is recommending the project.
The board also got an update Wednesday on the current SPLOST and discussed scheduling a November vote on a new package. If approved, collections would start immediately after the 2013 tax expires on March 31, 2019.
Wallace said she’s already spoken with city officials about reconstituting the SPLOST Citizens Advisory Committee to vet proposed projects.
“As soon as you say go, we have the committee almost ready,” she said.
Assistant County Manager Gary Burkhalter said SPLOST revenue was down in February and March compared to last year, but total collections are $886,000 ahead of projections.
The county is paying for projects as the funds become available, rather than issuing bonds to jump-start the work. Burkhalter said they’ve accumulated close to $9 million in the SPLOST account.