Florala Mayor Robert Williamson announced the Florala Municipal Airport was awarded $515,914 in FAA funding to conduct a boundary survey; install a wind cone, rotating beacon, and segmented circle, runway lighting, as well as to rehabilitate the airport's apron and runway. The news came during a public hearing to discuss proposed routes for four-laning U.S. Hwy. 331 from Opp to the state line, according to the Andalusia Star News.
Florala Municipal Airport- 0JA- Airnav image
"Basically, this money will be used to bring the airport up to standards and for maintenance issues that need to be taken care of," said Airport Board attorney Wesley Laird. "The survey is needed to get a good layout plan for development purposes. The lighting, the cone, the beacon and such is needed for air traffic control. All in all, it's what we've needed to get the airport back on track."
Airport Authority Chair, Ricky Scruggs confirmed this is the first FAA airport improvement grant in some twenty years. A long term FBO lease dispute, settled recently, will now allow the airport to receive FAA airport improvement grants.
Laird said the grant match will range between 5 and 10 percent. -Staff Report, FMI: Andalusia Star News