PCAA/IBA Officials Networking in Washington

Movie studio developments and the possibility of hangar construction were among the topics discussed at Wednesday’s meetings of the Paulding County Airport Authority and the Industrial Building Authority.

Officials with the authorities met for their February meetings Wednesday at the Paulding County Northwest Atlanta Airport. Following the conclusion of those meetings, airport Director Blake Swafford left for Washington, as he was to join other county officials already there, including Paulding County Commission Chairman David Austin and Paulding Chamber of Commerce President Carolyn Wright for several days of networking with state and local representatives.

Swafford was also meet with U.S. Rep. Tom Graves, whose district now includes Paulding County.

Airport officials continue the planning and organizing stages for an October air show. Committee member Dave Carmichael commented on recent progress, including a flyer recently created promoting the show, which is slated for Oct. 20. Additional information regarding admission, performing acts and other details are available on Facebook under “saluteamerica2012.”

Swafford also reported on airport construction and the Capital Improvements Program. The CIP is a 5-year program tied to the FAA. Trinity Engineering has created a design for the restaurant going into the terminal building. Plans are most likely for a “sit-down style” full service restaurant, rather than simply fast food, Swafford said. Officials say the timeline for completion of the restaurant is hopefully by summer of this year.

Construction on a commercial hangar is back on track after a sub-standard concrete foundation was re-done by a different contractor. Updating that project Wednesday, Swafford said that the building’s frame, delayed some by weather, is expected to begin going up next week.

Paulding Jet Center General Manager Jeff Beale reported 17 hangar customers, five waiting and six ‘tie-downs’ by the end of the week.

“I think this is going to be a really key year to grow [the airport], with the hangar, and some of the other stuff we’re working on,” Beale said.

Beale said the best prospect for a flight school tenant, Superior, is not prepared to accept right now. Other schools may be talked to, he said, but Superior as a prospect is not entirely out of the picture.

“We’re not closing that door, we’re keeping it open,” he said.    

Board member and construction manager for the film studio Chris Cochran reported that offices were being finished up in the next few weeks. The facility is to be managed through an agreement with Roadtown, a California-based company hired to help design and build the facility.

Swafford said there have been requests for bookings in the new facility, but prior to placing a deposit, no binding agreement exists; however, one entity has requested the necessary paperwork, he said.

Swafford also mentioned the disappointing news that Kestrel Aircraft had made decision not to locate in Paulding and instead will move to Wisconsin. The state is extending Kestrel $108 million in tax credits and $4 million in low-interest loans. Swafford, who said that the operation would involve about 400 employees, added that the decision was not due to any shortcomings with the new airport facility, but rather the inability to match the kinds of tax incentives the company was looking for in choosing a new location.

During the IBA meeting several items of new business were covered, and two items were discussed in a closed session.

The deadline for water tank bids was Feb. 2, moved up some last month to allow two prospective companies more time to prepare. That project is expected to be completed by summer of next year.

The IBA voted in favor of potentially refinancing three bonds purchased in 2003, one taxable, and two tax-exempt. The move would result in substantial savings, according to Bucky Kimsey, a financial consultant with Morgan Keegan, who spoke to airport officials Wednesday morning.

And the IBA continued a discussion regarding an offer for the potential purchase of steel to be used for hangar construction. Some reconditioning to the material due to surface rust made be necessary, Swafford said, but depending on the outcome of that restoration work, that purchase is still on the table.

The IBA also approved a studio memorandum agreement with the International Alliance of Theater Stage Employees (IATSE) to provide film studio management personnel.