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KENANSVILLE — With a focus on strategic growth and operational improvements, the Duplin County Airport Commission outlined ambitious plans on Tuesday night, Aug. 26, to expand hangar capacity, upgrade facilities and secure funding.
Daniels and Daniels has started hauling out the 9,000 yards of dirt necessary to begin the new hangar project. S&ME presented an estimate of $47,000 to provide the required third-party inspections for the project. The board approved moving forward with S&ME, with the stipulation that costs not exceed the $47,000 without returning to the board for further approval. Funding for the third-party inspections was already allocated in the approved budget.
Airport Director Joshua Raynor proposed using the remaining $1 million in unallocated funds for the hangar project. He suggested spending $500,000 to clear and prep the rest of the ground between the new hangar and the Forestry Service. The remaining funds could be put toward the revitalization portion of the project.
“Long term, it would be a cost savings to do the clearing work now with just a change order vs. a whole new project later,” Raynor explained.
The board discussed whether or not moving dirt would be advantageous right now – especially in light of projects underway across the road with the Economic Development Commission. Because moving dirt can account for approximately 10% of a project’s cost, the board asked Raynor to get numbers together with Daniels and Daniels that include consideration of the dirt needs of future nearby projects. The board authorized Raynor to negotiate up to $350,000 to grade the area and prepare it for an additional hangar in the future.
Raynor also received quotes for dehumidifiers and fans for the MRO hangar. The board approved a contract for $29,990 with Jackson and Son for two 5-ton dehumidifiers and fans. Funds for the upgrade to the maintenance building will come from already approved transportation and capital improvement funds.
Hunter Boniface gave an update about the taxiway connector project.
“The final inspection was today with S.D. Wooten, and everything went well, but there were a couple of items that needed cleaning up. The main item being that they seeded it on Aug. 6, and it did nothing but rain, so it washed the seed away, and they have to come back and reseed it,” Boniface explained.
Director Raynor cast pictures from his phone to the projection screen to show the board the hangar project, dirt in question, and the finished taxiway connector. Chairman Alphin praised the taxiway project as being “one of the best projects we’ve ever done” because everything came together right.
Raynor updated the funding for the fuel farm update. “We’ve received $900,000 of the state aid, but we are still waiting on federal funds from the Division of Aviation.”
If federal funds are not received by mid-September, Raynor plans to submit a proposal to the board to initiate procurement of the fuel tanks.
“This would give us something to work with and allow us to time the project to begin in the Spring using already procured funds while still working for the whole funding to begin construction,” Raynor explained. Further plans will be clarified in the September meeting.
In one of the last orders of business, Raynor proposed that the board nominate him to represent the airport on transportation committees. Mayor Connors—who has previously served on the committees—clarified that the group meets quarterly and would benefit from airport representation.
“They work on a point system and decide what projects to put money towards in our area based on the points they award it,” Connors explained.
“This would be a great opportunity to put someone in there to help us grow,” Chairman Jack Alphin said. The board voted unanimously to have Raynor represent the airport at Transportation Committee meetings.
Plans were discussed for a groundbreaking ceremony for the new hangar project. Invitations to county officials will be sent out sometime in mid-September.
Lastly, Raynor explained the operations and fuel reports. He explained that the capital outlay includes the purchase of a new mower and the leasing of a Ford Explorer through Enterprise.
“The fuel report included 1,453 sales in AVGas and 13,665 in jet fuel with 328 operations,” Raynor said. Two new full-time airport technicians will be hired to help maintain the site, and a part-time position is still open.
“I encourage you to think outside of the box. Every industry is having to do that. We are going to have to do it if we want to keep good people…we’ve got to figure this out. We are in a different world when it comes to finding and retaining people, and we don’t want to get in a position of just hiring people, we want to hire good people,” Alphin advised.
The board meeting adjourned shortly thereafter.
