Glynn County Receives OneGeorgia Grant for Airport Ramp Expansion
Gov. Nathan Deal and members of the OneGeorgia Authority Board met December 9 to approve and affirm more than $2.6 million in grants from OneGeorgia Authority’s portfolio of financing programs. These awards will assist economic development projects in rural Georgia aimed at creating jobs, stimulating private investment, supporting and retaining existing jobs, and enhancing regional competitiveness.
The OneGeorgia Authority was created in 2000 by the General Assembly, with administration provided through a partnership with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. This rural development funding authority is chaired by the governor, and includes as board members the lieutenant governor, the director of the Office of Planning & Budget, and the commissioners of the Department of Community Affairs, the Department of Economic Development, and the Department of Revenue.
From the Authority’s inception to date, OneGeorgia has given over 650 awards to fund projects in rural Georgia. These awards include over $220 million in Economic Development Growth and Expansion (EDGE) funds and almost $120 million in Equity funding for rural development projects around the state.
Brunswick Golden Isles Airport Expansion is Creating Jobs
As one of seven projects awarded statewide, the Brunswick Golden Isles Airport expansion was granted funds in this latest round of OneGeorgia awards. The Brunswick-Glynn County Development Authority, along with the Glynn County Board of Commissioners, requested and were awarded $500,000 in OneGeorgia Equity grant funding to assist with construction of the North Apron expansion to support the expansion of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities at the Brunswick Golden Isles Airport. Two aviation maintenance providers, Stambaugh Aviation and Omega Aviation Services, plan to expand operations and create a total of 150 jobs.
Stambaugh Aviation provides maintenance services for aircraft such as the DC10-40, 727s and other air carriers. The company has been operation at the Brunswick airport since 1987 and plans to invest $1.9 million in the expansion. Omega is a private contractor providing air-to-air refueling for the U.S. Navy and plans to invest $1.6 million in land acquisition and development costs for their expansion.
Mel Baxter, Interim Director
Mel Baxter, Interim Director at the Brunswick Glynn County Development Authority said “this grant from OneGeorgia is going to a long way in helping us improve one of Glynn County’s biggest and best assets – the Brunswick – Golden Isles Airport. Governor Deal is serious about job creation and we’re very appreciative of his support.”
The Glynn County Board of Commissioners committed to providing $2,470,320 in bond funds, and the Brunswick-Glynn County Development Authority committed to $515,000 towards the project. Additionally, the Authority was awarded $750,000 in U.S. Economic Development Administration funds towards the project. The total project cost is $7,735,320.
