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October 30, 2011

Airport officials to propose 16-bay hangar

Addition could be boost for economic development

By Justin Graves The Cullman Times

VINEMONT — Bob Burns currently oversees one of the largest small airports in the state.

That status could be rising in the near future, too.

Cullman Regional Airport is in the early stages of expanding its hangar space. Airport officials are currently in the process of gathering engineering specifics about the possible construction of a new 16-bay T-hangar at Folsom Field.

Burns said he hopes to take that information to the Cullman City Council and the Cullman County Commission in two to three weeks so the bidding process can begin.

“We’ve been having discussions about adding a new hangar for about two to three months now,” Burns said. “One of the criteria that had to be reached was that we had to find 16 people locked in for the lease of these bays.

“We were able to do that, and once we get this new hangar, that would put us at more than 100 planes here at the airport.”

Burns said the construction of a new 16-bay T-hangar will cost approximately $500,000, with the state footing half of the bill through grant money.

The airport built a similar hangar in 2007.

According to Burns, continuing to upgrade airport facilities helps the community through industrial growth.

“Most of the planes that come through here are tied to industry,” Burns said. “We have a couple of local companies that are flying in and out of here on a daily basis.”

Dale Greer, assistant director with the Cullman Economic Development Agency, agreed that Cullman Regional Airport is an asset to industrial growth in the area.

“Having an airport right here in the community is an excellent platform for us when we’re bringing in prospective businesses,” Greer said.

According to Burns, there are currently eight corporate hangars located at Cullman Regional Airport.

Counting “touch-and-goes,” approximately 50-60 aircraft use Cullman Regional Airport on a daily basis. That includes planes being used by Wallace State for its aviation classes.



* Justin Graves can be reached by phone at 734-2131, ext. 225 or by email at justing@cullmantimes.com.

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