Airport gets fund priority

Web posted June 16, 2000

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By Justin Martin
Staff Writer

Augusta's aviation officials received some welcome news Thursday: U.S. Sen. Max Cleland has succeeded in getting Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field's name added to a priority list for federal airport funding.

Thanks in part to the lobbying efforts of Augusta Aviation Commission Chairman Ed Skinner, Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce President Jim West and chamber Vice President Scott MacGregor, Mr. Cleland was able to get Augusta on the list before the bill moved through the Senate on Wednesday.

OTHER STORIES: • Aviation groups come to airport's aid • Aviation commission looks to GAIN • New airport promotions prepare for takeoff • Airport hopes to see funds • Experts push master plan for airport • Airport ignores funding • Board moves to study expansion • Inspectors: Airport outdated • Commission rethinks airport plan • Commission OKs design of new terminal • Airport gets fund priority • City sets sights on airport facilities • City looks to land major airlines • Local leaders discuss airline service goals • Delta jets to depart from area • Airport panel OKs new terminal plan • Growth alarms officials • Augusta's size hurts airport expansion plan • Firms vie for airport plan • More airlines doubtful • Problems hurt Bush Field • Airport business picks up • Augusta airport plans disappointed by Delta

If approved, the bill - the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century - would make more than $40 billion available for airport improvement projects, including terminal expansions and runway improvements.

The bill, commonly referred to as AIR-21, also opens up slots at some of the nation's biggest airports - Chicago's O'Hare, New York's LaGuardia and Washington's Ronald Reagan International - to airlines willing to provide service to smaller, underserved markets like Augusta.

Having its name on the priority list ensures that the Federal Aviation Administration will give priority consideration to Augusta when dispersing discretionary airport improvement funds.

Should the senate approve the bill - a decision could come as early as today - Augusta's federal entitlements would double to $2 million a year. The money could be used for the airport's planned terminal expansion project or other much-needed improvements.

``It's good that we're on the list,'' Mr. Skinner said. ``I'm glad Senator Cleland was successful, now we'll have to wait and see what happens.''

Aviation Commission member Jim Wilson, who has been studying the AIR-21 legislation for the past month, said the bill presents a lot of opportunity for Augusta, particularly in opening up slots, providing grants and making more federal money available.

``The more important thing is to get some of those slots and attract more airlines here,'' Mr. Wilson said. ``We could start to compete with Atlanta if we had those direct flights. I'm sure people in Madison .ƒ.ƒ. maybe even in Covington would use Augusta if they knew we had direct flights. It'd be easier than fighting the traffic and parking in Atlanta.''

Today, Mr. MacGregor will travel to Washington to meet with Mr. Cleland and Sen. Paul Coverdell to reinforce the importance of these federal funds to Augusta's commercial airport.

``Just being on the list gives us a leg up,'' Mr. MacGregor said. ``It all happened very quickly. We're really excited about this.''

Earlier in the week, Mr. MacGregor, Mr. West and Mr. Skinner met with U.S. Rep. Charlie Norwood to talk about AIR-21 and Augusta Regional Airport.

Mr. MacGregor said Mr. Norwood is very supportive of Augusta's airport system, and the congressman said he will do whatever he can to make sure federal money finds its way to Augusta.

Reach Justin Martin at (706) 823-3552.