Commissioners approve upgrades

By Dean Shipley

Staff Writer

In an effort to use Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant dollars before they’re lost, the county commissioners approved Monday a request by the airport administration for an upgrade.

Bill Laney, airport administration spokesman, said the board was looking at three projects which would qualify for spending FAA grant dollars. Laney said if grant dollars are not spent, they have to give them away.

Up to $150,000.

“We don’t want to do that,” said commissioner David Dhume.

So they approved a weather program upgrade to the airport called AWOS (automated weather operating system).

“It’s an upgrade, something we don’t have,” Laney said.

Cost of it is estimated at $150,000. Laney said the airport administration’s out-of-pocket expense would be $15,000.

Other projects under consideration included, additional hangars, but an interest in additional hangars had to be evident; and lighting for the the taxiway.