Photo by Sue Watson
Pictured in front of the Holly Springs-Marshall County Airport addition are (from left) Mike Tagert, Al Beck, Bill Dawson and Tony Roberts.
The Holly Springs-Marshall County Airport recently opened a new T-hangar that has space for six airplanes.
The facility is built to maintain environmental control and already has a list of pilots who want to store their planes in the new hangar, according to Justin Hall, airport manager.
In the dedication ceremony, airport board chairman Russell Johnson harkened back to the late airport director, Bill York, who he said was the person with the vision for airport expansion.
“Bill York several years ago had some dreams,” Johnson said. “He had vision that a young man, Justin Hall, is carrying out.”
In prayer dedicating the hangar, pastor Tony Roberts thanked the Father for the gifts of the community.
“This community recognizes our labors and ingenuity have a small outcome, but it comes from Your blessing and Your favor,” he said, in asking God for economic blessings to the community from the airport improvements.
Al Beck, with the airport commission, led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Hall recognized the City of Holly Springs and Marshall County Board of Supervisors for structuring the airport commission through the Industrial Development Authority. The governments fund the airport on a 50:50 basis.
He also cited Charlotte Saunders and John Jewell Aircraft for their long-standing contributions to the airport as fixed-base operators.
The cost of construction of the hangar – $400,000 – is paid for through a $228,000 multimodal program grant from the Mississippi Department of Transportation. The remainder of the cost came from a loan from Bank of Holly Springs.
“For years, the airport has been here, but was not visible from Highway 78, but now it is,” Hall said. “IDA sees the airport as an economic tool to attract business.”
Mike Tagert, MDOT commissioner for the Northern District, was present at the grand opening.
“It is a true celebration,” he said. “We like to work with communities that invest in themselves. The T-hangar will be seed for future airport development.”
Those large industries seeking sites in Mississippi always ask where is the local airport, Tagert said.
“We have a long-term commitment though these are tough times,” he said. “In these days, any amount of money dedicated to multimodal is really important. This is an investment that has a definite return, and not so far away.”
Article and photos: http://www.southreporter.com
http://www.airnav.com/airport/M41
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