Local officials at Golden Triangle Regional Airport, Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi State University and Lowndes County are welcoming their share of the more than $150 million in a massive federal spending bill earmarked for specific Mississippi projects.
In a separate defense appropriations bill passed this week by the U.S. House of Representatives, more than $15 million is designated for MSU and two Golden Triangle defense contractors.
Airport expansion
The federal spending bill, which President Barack Obama has signaled he will sign, includes $2 million for improvements at GTRA.
“The $2 million earmark will help to fund the $9.5 million runway extension, which will increase our runway from 6,500-feet to 8,000-feet,” said airport Executive Director Mike Hainsey. “The longer runway improves safety by allowing the commercial aircraft, both scheduled and charter, to operate at higher gross weights, especially during the hot summer months.
“Currently, they can not depart, fully loaded, on some days and they have to reduce the number of passengers and amount of baggage,” he continued. “In addition, the longer runway allows us to support (CAFB), since the T-38 (plane) requires 8,000 feet.”
CAFB currently uses GTRA for training on the T-1 and T-6 aircraft; CAFB traffic accounts for 40 percent of GTRA traffic.
“Because of the growth in our area, we are able to justify growth at the airport,” Hainsey said. “In my opinion, airports and other service sector enterprises are mirrors of the local economy. In our case, our traffic is up 2 percent from last year, while the rest of the state is down 15 percent. Because of all the new industry, we are experiencing significant growth in the future, so we”re planning and building for it.”
GTRA is in the midst of a $1.5 million terminal expansion and construction, next month, will begin on a new $2 million instrument landing system at the airport.
Additionally, $350,000 will be spent, in the spring, to expand the GTRA parking lot and ground will be broken, in May, on the $9.5 million runway extension.
Air Force Base facility
The federal spending bill also includes $9.8 million for an aircraft fuel maintenance facility at CAFB.
“The (facility) will provide adequate work space for Air Force aircraft maintenance and government quality assurance personnel and increase the size of the facility to perform fuel system maintenance for 238 assigned aircraft,” said CAFB 14th Flying Training Wing Commander Col. Roger Watkins. “A shortage of aircraft maintenance hangar space exists at CAFB. The existing fuel repair facility at Columbus consists of a portion of a converted B-52 (aircraft) nose dock. The existing facility will only house one T-1 aircraft and no other aircraft simultaneously. Once the legislation becomes law, the design and construction process should begin this fiscal year.
“CAFB is appreciative of the support from the Mississippi congressional delegation in making this much-needed facility for our mission one step closer to fruition,” Watkins added.
MSU expansion
From the bill, MSU would receive $6 million to continue building the MSU Research, Technology and Economic Development Park.
“The funds in this appropriations bill will enable Mississippi State to continue work on world-class research initiatives and economic development activities that spur job creation and improve the quality of life for all of our citizens,” said MSU President Mark Keenum. “We appreciate the efforts of our congressional delegation in supporting these wide-ranging initiatives. The funding for the research park project will enable the university to expand its infrastructure to ensure that we have state-of-the-art facilities to house future private-sector research partners.”
The research park funds will be used to complete the infrastructure for the existing construction project and to support a building expansion, soon to begin from previously committed funding.
Economic benefit
Columbus and Lowndes County also are expected to benefit from federal spending bill appropriations.
“All projects funded are in the Link”s top five priority list,” said Columbus-Lowndes Development Link CEO Joe Higgins. “The projects are helping to strengthen and grow our economy. Right now, we”re working closely with our delegation to secure the funding for Artesia Road (improvements) and Columbus and Lowndes County is grateful for our delegation, who provide us with the tools we need to grow our economy.”
The Artesia Road project will include two miles of new road for a “bypass” around Artesia, explained Bob Calvert, of Calvert-Spradling Engineers Inc., noting the new road will start at Sessum Road in Artesia, cross railroad tracks and tie into the existing Artesia Road.
The total project will be 6.4 miles long, with four miles following the existing alignment of Artesia Road and two miles of new alignment.
“It will be several years before completion,” Calvert said of the project, noting the development of plans and environmental clearances will take a year or more and then funding for construction will be identified and obtained.
Defense appropriations
In separate legislation, Rep. Travis Childers, D-Miss., requested $37.3 million in defense appropriations, including $9,340,000 for Stark Aerospace”s development of the Heron Maritime UAV system, which provides commanders with the ability to perform Maritime Patrol Missions at high and low altitudes.
Childers” requests also include $3,920,000 for advanced, long endurance unattended ground sensor technologies at MSU and $2,480,000 for Advanced Soldier Portable Power Systems technologies, with Ultralife Corp. in West Point.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 30 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
