Airport Restorations Could Be Completed by Week's End

Paulding Northwest Atlanta Airport restorations are wrapping up by the end of the week, according to Airport Director Blake Swafford, who addressed the county’s Industrial Building Authority Wednesday during its regular meeting for June held at the airport.

According to Swafford, repairs to the terminal building’s roof and resulting water damage and also repairs to fences on the site are now completed, and remaining repairs will officially be completed later this week with the replacement of four windows damaged by the storm.

, both the Paulding County Airport Authority and Industrial Building Authority had moved their meetings to the Watson Government Complex, but are now back at the airport terminal building as of this month.

Swafford reported that ground is cleared for the site to locate a water tank that will be tied to airport operations. That project is expected to be completed later this year. Last month, needed to complete the water tower project for $48,000.

The corporate hangar project is moving forward, Swafford said, and is now in a redesign phase by the structural engineer. Both the commercial hangar and the replacement of private hangars that were demolished by the March tornado are targeted for completion by the end of the summer.

Local leaders learned Wednesday that Atlanta Film Studios in Hiram is gearing up to accommodate its first Hollywood film. A biopic of the life of Brooklyn Dodgers baseball great Jackie Robinson, titled 42, is slated to begin a 12-week commitment at the new soundstage next week.

IBA Business

IBA members associated with its industrial park project, contingent on approval from the city of Dallas. Swafford reported during Wednesday’s meeting that that property was closed on last week, and is in the process now of being submitted to the city of Dallas for rezoning from residential to industrial. The site is located in the county’s newly established opportunity zone and would qualify for incentives under opportunity zone guidelines.

IBA officials are also talking to at least two development entities regarding a 110-acre property on Bill Carruth Parkway intended as the site for a Paulding Commerce Park project. Panattoni Development Company is a commercial real estate development company specializing in industrial, office and retail projects. Panattoni and another developer have submitted qualifications for evaluation, Swafford said.

Swafford and Paulding Economic Development Director Jamie Gilbert also recently met with Chris Cummiskey, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Swafford said with as many three Paulding projects under consideration, he was impressed with Cummiskey’s knowledge of Paulding’s airport and what that could mean for the future.

“I think we’re in great condition in terms of working with the state,” Swafford told other members of the board Wednesday. “The level of activity is impressive; I’m very excited about the opportunities.”