Southwest Georgia Regional Airport awarded Airport Improvement Grant
Staff Photo: Alan Mauldin
Staff Reports
[email protected]
ALBANY – Congressman Sanford D. Bishop Jr., D-Ga., announced Monday that the U.S. Department of Transportation, through the Federal Aviation Administration, has awarded the Southwest Georgia Regional Airport a $270,000 Airport Improvement Grant. The grant will fund the first phase of a project to design and rehabilitate 200 feet and 500 feet of two separate runways as well as additional paved operating spaces for airplanes using the airport.
“Once again, the Biden-Harris Administration is delivering for southwest Georgia through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, which I supported in Congress,” Bishop said in a news release. “The grant today will help make repairs to the runways and surrounding tarmac at Southwest Georgia Regional Airport, which plays an important role in our local economy. Projects like this that upkeep or expand Georgia’s airports often require a lot of capital. I am glad that Congress is committed to being a partner to our airports so that they remain reliable gateways to our communities and maintain the integrity of our supply chain.”
Each year, vacationing citizens and businesspeople travel through Southwest Georgia Regional Airport, which plays an important role in local tourism. It is also a major cargo hub and companies like UPS, Federal Express and others serve families and businesses throughout southwest Georgia, southeastern Alabama, and the Florida panhandle. The airport also supports U.S. military operations and servicemembers who live or work in the area.
“The grant will fund the design work to rehabilitate Taxiway Sierra at the SWGA Regional,” Airport Director David Hamilton said. “The city of Albany appreciates the continued support of Congressman Bishop, as he is an advocate for the SWGA Regional Airport and the southwest Georgia region. The grant award will help ensure the safety of passengers by providing a surface for pilots to maneuver safely on and off the runway.”
In June, Southwest Georgia Regional Airport celebrated the opening of a new, $15 million state-of-the-art hangar and terminal. The project received support from federal funds over the past several years.
In the current fiscal year, in addition to the $270,000 received in this grant, Southwest Georgia Regional Airport also received more than $1 million in federal funds made possible by the IIJA.
In April 2023, in the previous fiscal year, the FAA awarded Southwest Georgia Regional Airport a $235,980 Airport Improvement Program grant for a project to expand an apron, where aircraft are parked or unloaded/loaded. This was also made possible by the IIJA.
Author
Related Articles
Dawson police arrest wanted suspect after Flock Safety camera alert
According to police, May drove into the yard of a nearby residence instead of complying with officers’ commands. He then exited the vehicle and ran into the home on foot.
Lee County stands alone without E-SPLOST. Here’s what that means for schools, taxpayers and the county’s future
Following the defeat of its referendum, Lee County became just the second of Georgia’s 159 counties without voter approval for an active ESPLOST, leaving the school system without the state’s primary local funding source for major construction, renovations, school buses and other capital improvements.
Chamber celebrates new businesses, invites community to Coffee and Connections event
The Terrell County Chamber of Commerce is continuing its efforts to strengthen local business relationships through community celebrations and networking opportunities, recently recognizing two new businesses with ribbon-cutting ceremonies and announcing its next “Coffee & Connections” event in Sasser.
