Salina, Kan., (July 14, 2009) - The
Salina Airport Authority began the first of a series of construction
projects at the Salina Municipal Airport, Monday.
The process of redeveloping the north
ramp area is part of a strategic plan to provide additional aeronautical
services to a wide variety of general aviation and commercial aircraft
operators.
"We're going to remove the
existing taxiway in order to open up the area for further
development," said Kenny Bieker, manager of facilities and
construction. "The new taxiway,
which is moving further north, is going to be the new entrance to the north
ramp."
Through this construction the north
ramp area will ultimately offer more than one million square feet of new
hangar, shop, office and classroom space for aviation businesses and their
customers.
"It is estimated that the north
ramp development project will create at least 850 new aviation and aerospace
jobs," said Tim Rogers, A.A.E., the Authority's executive
director. "Those jobs would
have an annual payroll exceeding $21 million."
The funding for this project is a
result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The Federal Aviation Administration
delegated $832,935 to the redevelopment of the north ramp area. The Authority already had a plan for the
area in place when the opportunity arose to apply for the grant.
"We've practiced having a design
ahead of schedule for many years now," said Bieker. "That's come in handy more than
once."
For more
information and the latest updates on construction please call the FAA
Flight Service Station at 1.877.487.6867.
