It’s been a long time coming and yes has had its share of hurdles, but Lanett’s new airport which features a 5,400 feet runway is on the verge of take-off.
An estimated $17 million has been spent on the Lanett Regional Airport thanks to the efforts of former U.S. Senator Richard Shelby, who advocated for airport improvement projects throughout the state of Alabama.
In November the City of Lanett hired Richard Carter as Airport Manager and on Monday he took the Chambers Ledger on a tour of the airport.
“We are thrilled about the airport and what it means not just to Lanett, but what it means to Chambers County as a whole. Mayor Heard and the Council are looking at doing a big Grand Opening as soon as it warms up a little. Probably be February or March”, said Carter.
As of now, everything is operational for the airport, a project that began in 2018. Currently, Auburn University student pilots are flying into the Lanett Airport as well as Lagrange Flight School, Columbus Ga., and a cattle company out of Nebraska that recently flew in.
The Lanett Regional Airport also features the Chambers County Development Authority on site which gives Chambers County an enormous advantage in recruiting industry.
“We have fuel. We have a submersible pump that has to be repaired. We have ordered the part and we are waiting on that to come in so that we can get that up and running. We are also working on getting the gate repaired so that it will be automatic with a code.
There are currently 10 T Hanger spaces where planes can be stored and this year the Lanett Airport will be the beneficiary of a Grant that will rehab all of the asphalt around those hangers as well as taxi lane pavement reconstruction, a runway apron, and a security fence. Airports generate revenue with the lease of hangar space which would be a huge boost for the City of Lanett.
“We have already started the paperwork process with the FFA and ALDOT (Alabama Department of Transportation). We will probably go to bid in April or May and begin construction right after that. Our plan is to have the project completed by September or October”, said Carter.
Afterward, Lanett could feasibly have hangers rented and create revenue for the city.
