Airport News:

JAA Accepts $4.6 Million in FAA Grants for JAX

JACKSONVILLE, March 23, 2009 – Jacksonville Aviation Authority, at its regular monthly board meeting today, approved spending $1.5 million in order to receive $4.6 million from the Federal Aviation Administration for airport improvement projects at Jacksonville International Airport (JAX).

The Airport Improvement Program Grants will be used for various projects at Jacksonville International Airport in this fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30, 2009. To receive the federal airport improvement program grants, the Jacksonville Aviation Authority had to match the federal dollars with aviation authority funds. The JAA also anticipates additional FAA grants for Cecil Field, Craig Airport and Herlong Airport.

Jacksonville Aviation Authority management will be notifying the JAA board as soon as possible with the actual improvement projects and costs before awarding any construction contracts.

 In other action, JAA board members approved the establishment of a Cecil Field Development Policy that allows the JAA to offer special considerations, such as lease concessions and incentives, to help stimulate development at Cecil Field during this difficult economic environment. The policy will be in place for five years or until such time the U.S. economy and financial markets have demonstrated a trend of recovery – whichever comes first.

The JAA also formed an executive search committee – consisting of Jack Demetree, chair, Ron Weaver, Deborah Pass-Durham and Russ Jollivette – to begin the process of finding a replacement for John Clark, who resigned to take a similar position at Indianapolis International Airport. The board appointed JAA Chairman Jim McCollum to serve as interim CEO until a permanent replacement is hired.