MORE FUNDS NEEDED FOR NEW SPALDING-GRIFFIN AIRPORT

AT A JOINT MEETING OF THE SPALDING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AND THE CITY OF GRIFFIN BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, TUESDAY-- BOTH BODIES VOTED TO FUND ANOTHER $165,000 EACH BY MAY 17TH TO PAY BILLS AIMED AT BUILDING THE NEW AIRPORT.

AIRPORT AUTHORITY CHAIR DR. RANDY PETERS TOLD THE BOARDS GA DOT AVIATION DEPARTMENT HAS MADE CHANGES TO THE ORIGINAL AGREEMENT AND THE AUTHORITY COULD NEED ANOTHER $680,000 BEFORE SEPTEMBER OR THE AUTHORITY COULD RISK LOSING $13 MILLION IN FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION FUNDS, DOT IS HOLDING.

DR. PETERS ASKED BOTH BOARDS TO WRITE A LETTER TO DOT AVIATION URGING IT TO CHANGE ITS REIMBURSEMENT METHOD.

GDOT REQUESTED A 2ND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY THAT COST $50,000 AND THOSE STUDIES HAVE BEEN BURNING THROUGH THE MONEY NEEDED FOR THE NEW AIRPORT ON GA. 16 NEAR 1-75..

COUNTY COMMISSIONER BART MILLER CAST THE ONLY VOTE ON THE TWO BODIES AGAINST SPENDING $165,000 THE COUNTY APPROVED FOR THE AUTHORITY DURING THE MEETING.