Hartselle airport lands federal aviation grant

By Staff
Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
The Federal Aviation Agency has notified Mayor Dwight Tankersley that an airport improvement grant totaling $142,500 has been approved for Hartselle's Rountree Field. The money will be used to purchase 7.5 acres of land lying in the airport runway's northern glide path.
Application for the grant was made initially in 2004 but was not approved. It was resubmitted last November following city council approval.
"We recommend that you complete negotiations with your consultant and prepare to obtain appraisals. These preliminary costs are eligible for reimbursements," said Rans D. Black, manager of FAA's district office in Jackson, Miss.
Tankersley said the city having title of the land will make it easier to maintain the glide path and control zoning and development in the area.
The city is obligated to fund 5 percent of the project cost or $7,500. Of that amount, half, or $3,250, is eligible for reimbursement by the State Aeronautics Bureau.
Action on two other airport grant applications is pending. Resubmitted in November was an application for a $583,794.00 grant for the construction of 15 airplane hangars. Submitted for the first time was an application for a $133,000 grant to replace runway lighting.
All three projects are listed on the airport's five-year capital improvement plan.