October 16, 2013
USDA Rural Development State Director Quinton N. Robinson recently joined a crowd of local, state, and federal officials to celebrate the successful team efforts in funding essential upgrades to the Cook County Airport.
Business leaders and interested citizens also gathered at the Adel Cook County Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours to tour the new airport terminal.
USDA implemented two programs to maximize impact for the airport improvement project, which has been years in the making.
“I am pleased that Rural Development programs worked simultaneously to advance the infrastructure and business development needs of the Cook County Airport,” Quinton Robinson said.
First, a $55,950 Rural Business Enterprise Grant is being used to purchase equipment for the setup of the offices, lobby and waiting areas, and pilots’ planning area including electronics in the terminal building. One side of the building will house offices of the airport’s Fixed Base Operator (FBO).
The other side houses offices of the Cook County Economic Development Commission. Local leaders have hired a new economic development director, Lisa S. Collins.
DOT money, generated by the aviation motor fuel tax, and OneGeorgia grants (including $488,000 for the terminal building) have funded most of the airport improvements.
Construction of 26 aircraft hangars will be made possible with a $900,000 Rural Development Community Facility Loan. About 90 percent of the loan will be reimbursed through the Georgia Department of Transportation; Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) proceeds will pay for the remaining 10 percent. The hanger project is expected to be completed in the next 10 months, with the capacity for eight to 10 more hangers. Six to 10 hangers should be erected within the next 120 days. The County is expected to accept a bid and award a contract for the hanger project within the next three to four weeks.
Phase 2 of the airport improvements will include more paving, more taxi lanes, and two 12,000 gallon fuel tanks for aviation gas and jet fuel.
It is anticipated that commerce will increase for Adel and Cook County as a result of the airport improvements. “The airport and conference room (in the terminal building) set the stage for negotiations with prospective companies by presenting our county as a leader in economic development,” said Cook County Commissioner Michael Dinnerman, who also serves as Airport Authority chairman.
He continued, “When the Economic Development Commission and Industrial Development Authority sit down with prospects to negotiate for companies to make an investment in our community, the airport makes an important statement to let them know we are serious about what we do. … We want people to know we mean business.”
One example of ndustrial recruitment that has benefited from the airport improvements is Catalina Tempering, according to USDA officials. The company purchased 189,000 square feet of manufacturing and warehouse space in Adel for their new glass tempering facility.
The California-based company has opened a new plant in Adel, creating 30 direct local jobs. “We have 11 plants across the country,” said Dennis Jasmer, COO of Catalina Tempering Inc., “and we don’t even consider a location for a new facility unless it has the ability for our corporate plane to fly directly to the city where our facility is located.”
“I believe the airport is the largest economic tool for the county. This is a very exciting time for Cook County,” said Jerry Connell, president/CEO of the Adel-Cook County Chamber of Commerce. He described the airport improvements as “a gamechanger” for the community’s future progress.
His comment was supported by Commissioner Dinnerman, who said the project “will help grow the tax base, maintain low, affordable taxes for our community, and create jobs that will improve the quality of life for years to come.”
Dinnerman thanked Jerome Tucker and grant writer Vickie Hughes in particular for their work in securing the USDA funds.
With the revitalized airport as one component of planned economic development efforts, “you will see (enhancements) never before thought possible in this community,” said Adel City Manager John Flythe.
During an interview, Dinnerman said the fuel prices, the new FBO’s (Fixed Base Operator’s) excellent reputation, and friendly service will set the Cook County Airport above and apart.
Benefits to the public of the airport improvements are tremendous, Dinnerman said. He said the new hangers will mean more airplanes being kept here and more ad valorem tax being paid to the County and helping hold down the tax burden on other property owners.
By the end of October, Gene Cook will start work as the new FBO. Plane owners will seek out Cook, who owns Airway Avionics, for his high-quality avionics work, including power plants and airframes on planes as well as annuals, Dinnerman said. Plane fights to the airport will increase as the owners have work done by Cook, whose repeat customers include UPS, according to Dinnerman.
The Airport Authority will sell aviation fuel directly to the planes’ pilots and owners. The fuel farm will be self-service, except for jet customers whose fuel will be pumped by the FBO. The County should see an increase in sales tax proceeds from the fuel sales, Dinnerman said.
Area businessman Bill Bowen, owner of Hampton Inn in Adel, recently visited EDC Director Lisa Collins at the airport. Bowen, a private pilot who has landed planes at the local air field, said the airport and I-75 combination will give Cook County a leg up over other area communities in attracting new businesses and industries.
The airport also will have a positive impact on tourist visits, Dinnerman said. The terminal building has been named in memory of the late World War II ace fighter pilot Bush Bryan. The Tourism Authority will be working to set up a mini-museum in the terminal with displays featuring memorabilia from Bryan’s legendary military exploits.
“This will be another leg up,” Dinnerman said. “We want the Cook County Airport to be more than just a place where pilots fly in, get their gas, and leave. We have Mr. Bryan’s legacy to show them. We want visitors to this community to tell others about his adventures, and they will come here, too, to learn more about his life story.”
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