Authority Approves Hangar Construction Contracts

The Paulding County Airport Authority and the Industrial Building Authority held their final regular meetings for the year Dec. 21 and voted to approve two items of new business. One will set policy on non-aviation uses for the airport. The policy will define the appropriate types of events that could be held at the site and will offer an online application. The policy will eventually be accessible online as well, according to Paulding Northwest Atlanta Airport Director Blake Swafford, contacted by phone following the meeting.

The Airport Authority also heard an update from board member Dave Carmichael on the International Council of Air Shows and then approved plans for the Salute America 2012 event, an air show to be held at the airport Oct. 20, 2012.

LPA Group gave an update on construction projects and the Capital Improvements Program. The CIP is a 5-year program tied to the Federal Aviation Administration. Recent improvements were primarily related to the restaurant and terminal building and some additional landscaping.

Another program, common to commercial airports and some private, the Foreign Object Debris (FOD) Prevention Program was adopted by the board. The program monitors the site for any debris deemed to be potentially hazardous to airport operations and in need of removal.

Hangar construction had been delayed for two months, Swafford said, due to a defective concrete foundation. The firm Superior Foundations has since taken over that contract from the previous contractor. During the IBA meeting, the contract with Superior Foundations was approved by the board.  

Fixed Base Operator Paulding Jet Center reported 16 hangar customers and six “tie-downs.” The jet center will have a new hire after the first of the year. Also, a full-service airplane detailing service is operating and new hangars are being promoted.

During the IBA meeting, several items of old business were covered, including updates on the rail spur, water tank and tech park projects.

Swafford said that issues with both locations have the rail spur and tech park on hold. The deadline for bids on the water tank is Jan. 19, and that project is expected to be completed by summer of next year, he said. The water tank is tied to airport operations.

Board member and construction manager on , Chris Cochran, provided a report on the studio. Cochran said certificates of occupancy have been obtained on both buildings at the location and remaining was only to tie-up some loose ends. A ribbon cutting will be held sometime next month for the new facility in Hiram off Bill Carruth Parkway.  

A report from the Greater West Georgia Joint Development Authority (GWGJDA) was provided by Board member Alan Shipp and Economic Development Director Jamie Gilbert, who recently attended a marketing meeting for the seven-county GWGJDA organization, which includes Douglas, Polk, Haralson and other neighboring counties. Shipp and Gilbert were on hand to highlight news of recent economic activity in Paulding County. Gilbert also reported that a new manufacturing prospect to the county has looked at several sites.

Two items of IBA new business included an update on the , which completed and filed paperwork related to the bond for the new facility. The company purchased a 72,000-square foot industrial building on Cleburne Parkway and expects to hire 25 associates within its first year of operation. In addition to expanding its office, Nationwide Envelope plans to add envelope manufacturing to its Hiram operation.