Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Hawkins Field Gets Grant for Runways

Senators Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith issued the following press release. 


U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today announced the award of more than $6.32 million in grants to make improvements at 15 local airports throughout Mississippi.



The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airport improvement grants will support infrastructure construction, safety improvements, and equipment acquisition.  The grants, which range from $1.0 million for the Golden Triangle Airport to $76,500 for the Bonneville-Baldwyn Airport, are funded through the Airport and Airway Trust Fund and federal appropriations.



“These FAA grants will help preserve and expand the capacity of our state’s airports to provide residents and visitors with a fast, safe, and efficient transportation option,” Wicker said.  “Reliable air service is not only convenient but will also help bring more tourism and business investment to all parts of Mississippi.”



“Improving airport infrastructure is necessary to ensure safe operations and helpful in promoting local airports for economic growth.  Several of these grants, particularly hangar and terminal construction, are intended to help rural airports become more self-sustaining aviation facilities,” Hyde-Smith said



The following Mississippi airports, including grant recipients, are receiving FAA grants:

·         Golden Triangle Regional Airport, Golden Triangle Regional Airport Authority – $1,000,000 for existing terminal expansion and safety equipment acquisition

·         Key Field, Meridian Airport Authority, Meridian Airport Authority – $1,000,000 for apron and access road expansion, and equipment acquisition

·         Hawkins Field Airport, Jackson Municipal Airport Authority and the City of Jackson – $924,430 for runway rehabilitation and master plan update

·         Greenwood-Leflore Airport, City of Greenwood and Leflore County – $863,836 for runway rehabilitation

·         Fletcher Field Airport, Clarksdale-Coahoma County Airport Board – $429,000 for construction of an additional taxiway

·         Stennis International Airport, Hancock County – $350,000 for replacement of 50 airfield guidance signs

·         Poplarville-Pearl River County Airport, City of Poplarville - $304,411 for construction of a 3,000-square-foot hangar building

·         Panola County Airport, Panola County – $259,110 for apron rehabilitation and a master plan study

·         Tishomingo County Airport, Tishomingo County – $237,920 for drainage improvements, land acquisition to extend runway protection zone, and building obstruction removal

·         Calhoun County Airport, Calhoun County – $224,235 for apron and taxiway rehabilitation

·         Winona-Montgomery County Airport, City of Winona and Montgomery County – $216,000 for construction of a 4,468-square-foot hangar building

·         Monroe County Airport, Monroe County – $198,000 for installation of a new vertical/visual guidance system

·         Belzoni Municipal Airport, City of Belzoni – $150,000 for construction of a single pump fuel facility

·         Holly Springs-Marshall County Airport, Holly Springs-Marshall County Airport Board – $94,500 for updates to the airport master plan narrative report and airport layout plan

·         Booneville-Baldwyn Airport, Prentiss County – $76,500 for updates to the airport master plan narrative report and airport layout plan



In June, the FAA also approved $2.37 million in airport improvement grants for aviation facilities in Okolona, Oxford, Philadelphia, Picayune, Ripley, Vicksburg, West Point, Wiggins, and Yazoo City. 

Kingfish note: JMAA CEO Carl Newman said the grant will pay for the resurfacing of the main runway at Hawkins Field. Good news.  


19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Sen. Wicker!

Anonymous said...

Thank God!

I was getting very worried about landing my G3 at Hawkins....I am so glad this money went to fix the runways around the state.....access to private airplanes and safety of those in those private planes is of utmost concern and importance to these towns. The people there can now rest assured that the next time they take off in their Malibu that the runways will be smooth as silk.

Saved again!

Anonymous said...


I hope Socrates does not suddenly get into the runway business !!

Anonymous said...

@1:16pm.
I concur.

Every Friday is a traffic jam in the air and on the ground at Medgar Evers airport.
It can be excrutiating when you have to wait 20 or more minutes for clearance to take off. Don't even get me start on trying to land in the evenings.

I am delighted that the city will be using these grants to get their runways prepared for those of us who disdain long waits.

Seriously, why else do you think we fly? Time is money!

Justice for Hawkins said...

Does anyone even use Hawkins field anymore? More money down the drain. But good PR for Roger and Cindy (#electionyear). What will happen once the Army Blackhawks leave Hawkins and come to the Jackson AP?

Anonymous said...

1:16, I assume you think that any use of public transportation should only be so that you can drive your convertible to Orange Beach for the weekend, in comfort. Or maybe take your RV to park outside the Grove while your black bears/land sharks are entertaining.

Actually, just like your highways and interstates are used for casual personal use, there is a good bit of business conducted via those roads and bridges - and also via the runways at Hawkins. And the railroad tracks that traverse the edge of town that you certainly wouldn't want to drive your Porsche into.

Yes, Hawkins Field serves many - private pilots and commercial business activities. As does, BTW, the Madison airport south of Strawberry Park; or many other small airports scattered across the state and country.

Anonymous said...

What in the HELL has the Jackson Airport done to the damn runway on the west side of the airport? It has been torn up for a year. No work being done on it. And don't tell me weather has been the issue.

INCOMPETENCE!

Anonymous said...

Somebody call the secretary and check on his certificate for runway construction.... lol

Anonymous said...

I hope the re-paving is bulletproof. I have picked up projectiles from the tarmac at Hawkins.

Anonymous said...

At 3:05
Actually alot of businesses use this airport. I was also surprised to find that out. A few eastover families use it for private planes. Seriously.

Thanks Be To Bryant-Hyde said...

What the hell did Wicker and Bryant-Smith have to do with this other than their staff, by policy, getting to release the announcement?

Fifth generation farmer and third generation airport-runway planner. Look for this to be a bullet point at Neshoba, Sid. Hope somebody asks her to delineate the process. She'll swoon and claim the heat has has got her off balance. And her handlers will wisk her off to Sid's cabin.

Anonymous said...

More runways for developers to fly into Mississippi, look around, shake their heads in disbelief, and fly home.

Anonymous said...

Three of my last three attempted posts haven’t made it past the Kingfish. Chickenshit conservative. Runways for rich country club Republicans. #4 won’t either. Keep begging for money though. The rich little GOP frat boys will come through for you!

Anonymous said...

You mean Wicker and Hyde-Smith didn't tell Jackson and the FAA they would withhold funds until Jackson dropped its challenge of the Evers airport takeover? You mean at the federal level they are proceeding business as usual with the Jackson airport authority?

This doesn't bode well for Rankin's attempt to annex an airport. Did the money come with a stipulation that Harkin's friends get all the runway work? No? Then it appears the current airport board is in good graces with the FAA

Anonymous said...

@9:08 PM

Let me share some experience with you. Kingfish will allow a diversity of posts that have subtle racism, class warfare, and all sorts of political jabs if you are funny, clever, or have good prose. An obvious troll or obnoxious idiot will not see the light of day because you don't add quality to the discussion.

I've had plenty of my own comments never see the light of day. Welcome to Jackson Jambalaya, it's his site.

Anonymous said...

The real question is, How do you get thru the “combat zone” around Hawkins field without getting carjacked, robbed or shot?

Anonymous said...

To coin a phrase 8:25, “drive like you stole it!”

Anonymous said...

When I took flying lessons at HAWKINS field, the pre flight include looking for bullet fragments in the aircraft and on the flight deck. Interesting! But good to know before you go!

Anonymous said...

That property is best suited for a prison.



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