A rose to Golden Triangle Regional Airport which has secured the final funding required to begin its $12 million terminal expansion project. GTRA received 95% of the funding through an $11.3 million grant from the Federal Aviation Administration. GTRA has committed 2.5% of the remaining funds needed through airport revenue, then secured the remaining 2.5% ($432,000) from the Mississippi Department of Transportation. Work should begin in a few months and the project is expected to take 18-to-24 months to complete. The project will include a second-floor area built on top of the concrete roof lining extending out from the existing terminal, a rearrangement of the waiting area, installation of two escalators and an elevator. It will also include a jet bridge, which is an enclosed ramp-like tunnel that many airports use to move passengers from the terminal to the airplane. GTRA now uses an outdoor ramp. Unlike most other regional airports, GTRA has proven to be self-sufficient and profitable. The new and expanded features will only serve to strengthen GTRA’s position in a highly competitive industry.
A rose to Starkville native and Chattanooga, Tennessee, businessman Freddie Williams for the backpack program he started in his hometown two years ago, providing much-needed school supplies, along with a Bible, to schoolchildren as they headed back to school this week. Williams donated 700 backpacks and Bibles this year, partnering with his childhood church, Rock Hills United Methodist Church, which handles the distribution. In 2022, the program provided 400 backpacks and Bibles. This week, volunteers from Rock Hill and from Boy Scout Troop 14, Williams’ old troop from which he earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 2009, were both present to help distribute supplies. There were no restrictions on what was given away, except that a child had to be present. Having the necessary school supplies is of great importance as children begin the new school year. We thank Williams for the devotion to children in his hometown.
A rose to Starkville Little League, which won its seventh consecutive Little League state title with a win over Clinton on Thursday. The Starkville team now advances to the Southwest Regional in Waco, Texas, with play beginning on Aug. 3. Since the expansion and addition of the Southwest Region in 2001, made up of Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Colorado and New Mexico, only Ocean Springs has represented the Magnolia State as many times as Starkville. Now Starkville will look to end a Mississippi drought in the Little League World Series that has existed since 1977. Just one team from Mississippi has ever made it to Williamsport. We’ll be watching and rooting as Starkville makes its bid for history. Congratulations!
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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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 35 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
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