The Cobb County Board of Commissioners voted 5-0 Tuesday to renew a five-year contract and buy a new vehicle for Cobb County International Airport – McCollum Field.
Michael Baker International will be paid $3 million over the next five years for the program management, planning, design/engineering and construction management of capital improvement projects at the airport. This contract is required by the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA may reimburse up to 95 percent of the cost through state grants.
The replacement vehicle will cost $28,002 for a 2017 Ford Explorer from Allan Vigil Ford-Lincoln. Currently, the airport administration staff uses a 2000 Ford Explorer with more than 170,000 miles. Funding will come from the Airport Fund Balances Reserves since airport revenues “consistently exceed” airport operating expenses, Wilgus said.
As a condition of receiving federal airport grants, the FAA requires that any airport fees/rents collected be spent on airport expenses.
The third busiest general aviation airport in the state, the airport has 18 aviation businesses with more than 250 employees and has 320 aircraft housed on-site. Also home to more large-cabin, international-capable corporate aircraft than any other metro-Atlanta airport, the airport provides an economic impact to the community of more than $112 million annually with economic activity at the airport supporting 842 jobs in the community.
About the Author
