slandmarks
05-26-2007, 01:05 AM
http://newsherald.com/headlines/article.display.php?a=1457
$72 million grant awarded for new airport (1:50 p.m. update)
May 25, 2007
More details to follow
Staff Report
PANAMA CITY
Federal aviation officials have awarded at least $72
million dollars in grant money for construction and relocation of a new airport in the West Bay area of Bay County, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson said today.
According to a news release from his office, Nelson got word of the award this morning by phone from Federal Aviation Administration chief Marion Blakey. Nelson later received a letter the agency was sending today to local officials also confirming the
award.
"This funding is a stamp of approval by the FAA," said Nelson, a supporter of a new airport for the region, in the news release. "This is good news for all of Northwest Florida."
In another news release, Congressman Allen Boyd (D-North Florida) said, "This is long-awaited funding that will help the Panama City-Bay County Airport Authority as they work on plans for the first phase of airport construction."
Boyd's office said the FAA projects a discretionary grant payment stream of $25 million this fiscal year with an additional $27 million in Fiscal Year 2008, $15 million in Fiscal Year 2009, and $5 million in Fiscal Year 2010.
Currently, plans are being discussed for the construction of the new airport in West Bay. The projected $330 million relocation project is to be funded through federal and state grants, the issuance of revenue bonds, and through the sale of the current airport property.
The Panama City-Bay County International Airport is scheduled to be relocated 20 miles from Panama City to West Bay. When completed sometime in late 2009, according to Nelson's office, the new airport will be able to handle international flights and even the giant Airbus A380
$72 million grant awarded for new airport (1:50 p.m. update)
May 25, 2007
More details to follow
Staff Report
PANAMA CITY
Federal aviation officials have awarded at least $72
million dollars in grant money for construction and relocation of a new airport in the West Bay area of Bay County, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson said today.
According to a news release from his office, Nelson got word of the award this morning by phone from Federal Aviation Administration chief Marion Blakey. Nelson later received a letter the agency was sending today to local officials also confirming the
award.
"This funding is a stamp of approval by the FAA," said Nelson, a supporter of a new airport for the region, in the news release. "This is good news for all of Northwest Florida."
In another news release, Congressman Allen Boyd (D-North Florida) said, "This is long-awaited funding that will help the Panama City-Bay County Airport Authority as they work on plans for the first phase of airport construction."
Boyd's office said the FAA projects a discretionary grant payment stream of $25 million this fiscal year with an additional $27 million in Fiscal Year 2008, $15 million in Fiscal Year 2009, and $5 million in Fiscal Year 2010.
Currently, plans are being discussed for the construction of the new airport in West Bay. The projected $330 million relocation project is to be funded through federal and state grants, the issuance of revenue bonds, and through the sale of the current airport property.
The Panama City-Bay County International Airport is scheduled to be relocated 20 miles from Panama City to West Bay. When completed sometime in late 2009, according to Nelson's office, the new airport will be able to handle international flights and even the giant Airbus A380