Improvements underway at county airport
By Deborah Bennett

The Jenkins County Airport is currently undergoing numerous improvements with funding being provided by a $631,579 federal grant administered through the Georgia Department of Transportation. (Staff photo by Deborah Bennett)

Numerous improvements are currently underway at the Jenkins County Airport, thanks to a $631,579 federal grant administered through the Georgia Department of Transportation.

Improvements at the airport are to include widening of the runway from 4000'x 60' to 4000' x 75', resurfacing of the runway, construction of a partial parallel taxiway and Thanger taxiway and improvements to runway and taxiway lighting. A foundation slab for future construction of an 8-unit T-hanger in also included in the plans.

The county and state will each provide $15,000 in matching funds for the project which is expected to take 4-6 weeks to complete. The airport will be closed to air traffic a portion of that time.

The Jenkins County Commissioners recently appointed an Airport Advisory Committee to advise them of operations at the airport. Committee members are Julie Chance, Thurmon Kent, Don Gay and Mike Head. The committee will report to the commissioners any needed repairs and improvements at the facility as well as explore the possibility of obtaining future grants to enhance operations at the airport.