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Cullman airport expands with 16-plane hanger
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Airport Manager Bob Burns, right, discusses the new hangers with John Cook, left, and John Cabri after a ribbon-cutting ceremony officially opened the hangers Wednesday afternoon in Vinemont. Amanda Shavers-Davis
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Add a comment on this storyBy Patrick McCreless
PATRICKM@CULLMANTIMES.COM
To County Commission Chairman Wiley Kitchens, the recent addition of another hanger at the Cullman Folsom Field Airport is more than just an expansion of services at the facility. It is a way to bring industry and jobs to the area.
“It’s good for us,” Kitchens said. “Hopefully the airport will continue to grow and increase and hopefully get more business in here.”
Local officials, members of the Cullman Chamber of Commerce and representatives of the Cullman Economic Development Agency were at the airport Wednesday for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the facility’s new 16-plane hanger.
The $550,000 hanger, which was built as part of a two-year project, was partially paid for through a $250,000 state grant. The airport covered the rest of the cost.
“We had enough in the budget to pay for it without going to the bank,” said Bob Burns, airport manager. “If we had had to borrow the whole thing, we wouldn’t have been able to charge a reasonable price.”
Each compartment in the hanger, which are 43 feet by 16 feet, cost $175 a month. Burns said over 20 people signed up to house their planes at the hanger before it was even built. All 16 compartments are currently in use.
Like Kitchens, Cullman Mayor Don Green also sees the expanding airport as a way to attract new industry. Green said the airport’s presence has already helped lure businesses to the area.
“It’s (airport) very important,” Green said. “Several industries need this airport to fly into to do business.”
Burns said the airport has helped industry and vice versa.
“Most of our growth has been in the last five years ... we’ve mostly been growing because the county’s been growing,” Burns said. “Corporations came in. If corporations can’t fly in, they go somewhere else.”
Green said the hanger expansion would help the airport become self-sufficient.
“The more aircraft we get here, the closer we get to this being self-sustaining,” Green said. “It won’t have to get money from the city and county.”
The city of Cullman and the county each own 50 percent of the airport.
Burns said the airport’s long-term growth plan is to house 100 planes. The airport currently has 77 planes.
“With 100 planes you get access to the maximum potential state grant offered each year ... access to $400,000,” Burns said.
Green added that the hanger project was good for the city and county governments as well.
“It’s always good when you can share opportunities and responsibilities,” Green said. “You get more accomplished.”
Located on County Road 1360 in Vinemont, Folsom Field Airport is 5,500 feet long and is capable of handling aircraft up to and including the Boeing 737. The 10,000 square-foot terminal offers a variety of services including car rental, plane and helicopter rental and a pilot lounge with a shower. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the airport is also home to the Wallace State Community College Flight School and skydiving group.
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