Bay County Florida To Build New Facilities For Pilots Association

A group of about 26 pilots from the Panama City Beach area have been in negotiations with the Bay County Airport Authority over the county's move to a new airport.

Bay Aircraft Owners Inc. hold a 30 year lease at the old airport, and about 14 years remain on that lease. When Bay County began building a new airport, which is expected to open in May of next year, the pilots group was concerned about the facilities they were leaving behind.

The Panama City News Herald report that, under the new lease, Bay County will build new hurricane-rated hangars for the group at county expense. They will also pay $300,000 to offset the cost of Bay Aircraft Owners to move to the new facility. No rent will be charged for the hangars, but a fee of 30 cents per square foot will be assessed for floor space in the facility.

File Photo

“That $300,000 was pretty hard to swallow,” board member Gerry Clemons reportedly said during a special board meeting Friday morning.

No cost has yet been determined for the hangars, but the county has $2.8 million budgeted for the project.

FMI: http://pcairport.pbsjis.com