Photo courtesy of Northeast Alabama Regional Airport
At its regular monthly meeting, the Gadsden Airport Authority, along with the Alabama National Guard, announced its intention to expand and strengthen the runway at the Northeast Alabama Regional Airport to a length of 11,000 feet.
The expansion will allow the national guard to significantly expand its presence at the airport as well as expanding the airport’s ability to service air freight operations.
In addition to the runway expansion, the project includes upgrades and additions to the airport’s fuel farm.
The Alabama National Guard, the Gadsden Airport Authority and City of Gadsden have worked diligently on this project for several months and look forward to the continuation of the relationship between all three entities. This is a win for all those involved and will not only allow additional national guard presence but allow the Airport Authority to expand services for private pilots and industry.
“I was honored to be a part of these negotiations and to help coordinate the meetings to make this happen,” said former state legislator and current City of Gadsden mayoral candidate Craig Ford in a statement. “Big things are coming for Gadsden, and I couldn’t be more excited for this city and what we can achieve.”
The City of Gadsden has released the following statement as part of the announcement:
“The City of Gadsden is proud to be working together with the Gadsden Airport Authority and the Alabama National Guard to bring this important project to the airport at the request of the national guard. All three entities are also working on securing funding for the project. The expansion will increase training opportunities for the national guard, directly and indirectly bring jobs to the community and increase the potential for growth at the airport.
“The airport authority and city have been working with the national guard for years to increase its presence at the airport, and this is another step forward.”