Upgrades Will Help Corporate Aviation Potential

Georgia senators Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss announced Monday Cobb County will receive $2.9 million in grant money for runway improvements at McCollum Field.

"This is outstanding news for Cobb County," Isakson said, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "It is very gratifying to have this level of federal support for our state and for a facility as important as McCollum Field."

Local pols were very glad to hear the news. Cobb County Commission Chairman Sam Olens said RYY "has made significant improvements the past five years" and the grant "will greatly assist the county with economic development opportunities."

Kennesaw Mayor Leonard Church agreed, the airport "has always been a good neighbor for our city" and "we'll be able to boost economic development even more. Anything good for the airport is good for the city, and it'll give people a way to fly in their corporate jets instead of into the Atlanta airport and having to drive up.

"It's good for our economy, and it'll bring in more corporations, and make it easier for those that are already here," Church said. "We have a lot of corporations now -- large ones -- and this will help us bring in more. This upgrade is very good news for us, Kennesaw and all of Cobb County."

The US Department of Transportation will distribute the funds, which will also be used for taxiway rehabilitation, according to the senators.

FMI: www.dot.gov, http://dot.cobbcountyga.gov/mccollum.htm