Fairhope, Alabama
NEW 20 YEAR PLAN
At the last council work session, Airport Authority Chairman Chuck Zunk presented the proposed long range plan for the city's H.L. Sonny Callahan airport on Hwy 32.
Zunk said the main goal of the airport is to "serve the Fairhope/Eastern Shore community as a hub of economic development, providing services and facilities which sustain existing businesses in the community and drive job creation."
Other goals are "to enhance the safety and security of the community; provide a major port-of-entry for business and commercial visitors; and serve as an emergency facility during and after natural disasters."
COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ANTICIPATED
The plan foresees new roads on both the east and west sides of the runway to open up some of the 257 acres of undeveloped airport-authority-owned land for commercial and industrial development (39 lots for aviation-oriented or other commercial development). A new access road out to HWY 13 is planned as well.
Total current assets of the airport amount to about $22 million; and the major liability a $8.9 million loan from PNC Bank. Sources of revenue are from rents, grants and city appropriations. Annual operating expenses (excluding grants) are $430,000 (2/3 funded from city subsidies, 1/3 from rents and fees.)
Federal (FAA) and state (ALDOT) grants may become available as funding for the new infrastructure, according to Zunk. He said the FAA requires a development plan to qualify for such grants.
AIRBUS BUSINESS HOPED FOR
Zunk said he hoped businesses related to the just-announced Airbus assembly plant in Mobile may eventually locate here as well.
Zunk: "The Airbus project fits in perfectly with our plans, because it will likely lead to several suppliers of Airbus who will want to locate at an airport like ours."
NEW 20 YEAR PLAN
At the last council work session, Airport Authority Chairman Chuck Zunk presented the proposed long range plan for the city's H.L. Sonny Callahan airport on Hwy 32.
Zunk said the main goal of the airport is to "serve the Fairhope/Eastern Shore community as a hub of economic development, providing services and facilities which sustain existing businesses in the community and drive job creation."
Other goals are "to enhance the safety and security of the community; provide a major port-of-entry for business and commercial visitors; and serve as an emergency facility during and after natural disasters."
COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ANTICIPATED
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| east side |
Total current assets of the airport amount to about $22 million; and the major liability a $8.9 million loan from PNC Bank. Sources of revenue are from rents, grants and city appropriations. Annual operating expenses (excluding grants) are $430,000 (2/3 funded from city subsidies, 1/3 from rents and fees.)
Federal (FAA) and state (ALDOT) grants may become available as funding for the new infrastructure, according to Zunk. He said the FAA requires a development plan to qualify for such grants.
AIRBUS BUSINESS HOPED FOR
Zunk said he hoped businesses related to the just-announced Airbus assembly plant in Mobile may eventually locate here as well.
Zunk: "The Airbus project fits in perfectly with our plans, because it will likely lead to several suppliers of Airbus who will want to locate at an airport like ours."
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