Airport receives more funding
By Staff
Melissa Dozier-Cason, FCT Writer
Airport Authorities announced more funding for airport improvements Monday afternoon.
Russellville Mayor Johnny Brown and Bill Pugh, chairman for the Airport Authority, received notification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that the Russellville Airport will receive a total of $273,761 for ongoing airport improvements.
"This is the total amount the airport will receive," Pugh said. "We are matching two and a half percent and the state is matching two and a half percent."
The money will be used to light the windsock and fueling area. The airport also hopes to build new hangers, Pugh said.
"The current hangers are about 35 years old," Pugh said.
In addition to these upcoming improvements the Russellville Airport expects to have everything ready for Jet A fuel by the end of the week, Pugh said.
"We got the stuff in today [Monday] and we expect the rest of the equipment in tomorrow [Tuesday], and we hope to have everything installed by Friday," Pugh said.
Jet A fuel will attract the larger jets to our airport and our community. The fuel project has already been fully funded by the FAA.
The upgrades at the airport began about six years ago, and have been instrumental in gaining more business for the airport.
"We had a Fortune 500 company hold a meeting here at our airport because of the nice faculty, and of our hospitality," Pugh said.
Senator Richard Shelby and Senator Roger Bedford have been instrumental in making the airport plan a success, Russellville Mayor Johnny Brown said.
"We would like to express our thanks to both Senator Shelby and Senator Bedford for helping us with funding for the airport," Brown said.
Both Brown and Pugh feel the airport renovations and improvements are coming along at a good speed, and are excited about the upcoming improvements at the airport, adding they feel having a good airport facility is vital to economic success.
"We would also like to thank our airport manager, Harry Mattox," Brown said.
"He does a great job for us here."
