In a decision it acknowledged as difficult amid the current financial climate, the Henry County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday to acquire Tara Field, the airport adjacent to Atlanta Motor Speedway. The facility has been owned by Clayton County since the mid-1990s.
The Clayton County Board of Commissioners voted to sell the property, which lies entirely within Henry, at its own regular meeting Tuesday night.
The total purchase price of $17.7 million covers 326 acres of airport property, including a hangar, along with 217 acres of adjacent land owned by the Clayton County Water Authority.
But Henry County expects to pay much less than that. County officials stressed that the deal would not have been completed without the partnership of the Federal Aviation Administration, which has committed $15 million for the purchase as well as additional money for future improvements, including the extension of the runway.
Should the FAA not follow through on that commitment by September, the contract stipulates that Henry's initial payment of $1.3 million would be refunded and the property would revert to Clayton ownership.
Henry County officials also stated that they would pursue an agreement with a professional aviation management company to handle the day-to-day operations.
According to the resolution which passed 6-0, a 2010 agreement with a firm known as Big 5 regarding the location of a movie studio next to the airport has been rescinded and revoked.
There has been some controversy surrounding the purchase over costs. However, Henry's total cost will be approximately $3.5 million. In addition, the FAA will foot the $25 million bill for runway extensions, according to a news release issued by U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland, R-Ga..
Several commissioners emphasized that the county was interested in the acquisition because controlling the airport would boost the county tax base by helping new and existing industries nearby. Clayton officials had no such incentive to improve Tara Field because it isn’t in their county, the commissioners said.
County Manager Butch Sanders told the board that the acquisition has received tremendous local support, including from Westmoreland and the Henry County Chamber of Commerce.
“Given its proximity to the Atlanta Motor Speedway and downtown Atlanta, I have no doubt that Tara Field will serve as one of the economic engines and will benefit Henry County and its citizens,” Westmoreland said.
Once the transfer is complete, Henry County will begin collecting the takeoff and landing fees, hangar space rentals and money generated from fuel purchases. In addition, the county plans to expand the airport to accommodate a higher volume of planes as well as larger planes that may be used by fans and race teams on race days at the Atlanta Motor Speedway.
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