The Bibb Voice is pleased to learn that Bibb County Airport will be one of 25 local airports in Alabama that will receive a Federal Aviation Administration grant, according to information released this week from the U.S. Department Of Transportation. The news came in an announcement from the office of Senator Richard Shelby that Alabama airports will benefit from more than $25.5 Million in FAA Grant Funds awarded by U.S. DOT. Senator Shelby chairs the Senate Committee on Appropriations, which unanimously approved the 2019 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill this past month. The airport grants are to be used for various airport improvements and to support infrastructure construction, safety advances, and equipment acquisition.
The Alabama grants – which range from $7.08 million for the Mobile Downtown Airport to $94,500 for the Thomas C. Russell Field Airport in Alexander City – are funded through the Airport and Airway Trust Fund and federal appropriations. Bibb County is set to receive $242,640 to be used for land acquisition and extend the protection zone for the airport, which will enhance safety for the general public as they fly into and depart from the airport.
Bryan Miller, Chairman of the Bibb County Airport Authority stated to the Bibb Voice that this grant cycle funding will complete the purchase of land and airport buildings that was started with an FAA grant from the FY 2017 grant cycle. The 10% matching funds that are required will come in the form of 5% from the Bibb County Commission and 5% from the State of Alabama. Miller went on to say that more airport improvements are already in the works for 2019.
Ryan Constans, Program Manager with the FAA Airports District Office in Jackson, MS has FAA oversight authority for the Bibb County airport. Contacted for this article Mr. Constans stated to the Bibb Voice that the Bibb County Airport Authority and the Bibb County Commission have worked diligently with the FAA to meet the requirements of eligibility for FAA grant funding and make improvements at the Bibb County airport.
Bryan Miller, Bibb County Airport Authority Chairman said that the dedicated work of the airport board and the support received from the Bibb County Commission and the State of Alabama is the reason our local airport has received substantial grant funds for the last two years. The present airport board is Shane Wallace, Mike McMillan, Jerry Averette, Rosalyn Adams, Mike Smitherman and Chairman Bryan Miller.
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The Bibb Voice seeks to inform the people of Bibb County about the things that help our communities to grow and prosper. We welcome all courteous and helpful opinions as to how to better improve the lives of all Bibb County citizens.
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Additional Reference Links: https://altoday.com https://www.shelby.senate.gov http://www.wbrc.com https://www.constructionequipmentguide.com http://www.alreporter.com/2018/07/31/congressman-bradley-byrne-applauds-airport-grants/
