July 31, 2013
USDA Rural Development State Director Quinton N. Robinson joined a crowd of local, state, and federal officials on Thursday, July 25, to celebrate the successful team efforts to fund 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 will be 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 will house offices of the Cook County Economic Development Commission. Local leaders are in the process of hiring a new economic development director. DOT money, generated by the motor fuel tax, and the OneGeorgia grant (including $488,000 for the terminal building) have funded most of the airport improvements.
Construction of 22 aircraft hangars will be made possible with a $1,123,000 Rural Development Community Facility Loan. About 90 percent of the loan will be reimbursed through the Georgia Department ofTransportation; Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) proceeds will pay for the remaining 10 percent. The hanger project is expected to be completed in six to eight months, with the capacity for eight to 10 more hangers.
Phase 2 of the airport improvements will include more paving, added parking, more taxi lanes, and two 12,000 gallon fuel tanks.
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 industrial 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 will soon open 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 game-changer” 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. “This is the first look, and it’s going to work.”
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