U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Transportation Subcommittee, announced recently that Piedmont and Centre will receive a total of $2 million from the Department of Transportation for airport projects. The funding will assist with runway construction.

Sen. Shelby said, “I’m pleased to announce these funds for Piedmont and Centre. It is an important priority for me that Alabama’s airports are given the needed resources so they may remain safe and convenient for the passengers and pilots who use them.”

This funding, which was secured in the 2000 Appropriations process, comes in part of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP).

According to James Beall, chairman, Centre-Cherokee County-Piedmont Airport Authority, these entities will receive this $2 million in funding provided they put up 5 percent of these funds with the state providing the other 5 percent. They are now in the process of securing the state match.

Centre Mayor Phil Powell said he is pleased with the progress on the airport.

“I was told that the $2 million is there for us and I think we will soon begin our land acquisition and maybe some grading done before long,” said Mayor Powell. “It’s 90 percent federal money and 5 percent state money and 5 percent for the entities that are involved. They called on the cities that are involved which are the city of Centre, Piedmont and the county commission for $111,000, which is $37,000 apiece. We have already contributed that. It will be sent to Washington and hopefully, it will get things rolling on our new airport.

The proposed site, Mayor Powell said, is approximately four miles on Highway 9 toward Piedmont.

“They tell me that’s one of the first things industry looks at when they come to a location is your airport facilities,” said Mayor Powell.

Total estimated cost of the airport, Mayor Powell said, is $10 million to $12 million