More work is scheduled for the airport after the City Council approved a contract Tuesday for new runway and approach lights.
The improvements are part of an $800,000 federal and state appropriation.
“We’re just grateful the airport continues to work to improve as it’s a key to economic growth in our area,” Mayor David Grissom said. “We’re pleased that the airport is continuing to make strides to improve.”
The contract is for $19,202 with Airfield Electric LLC. The city has to match 5 percent of that total, or $960.
According to Harry Mattox, airport manager, the work will include replacing runway lights on the second landing strip, as well as repairing the approach lights on runway 2.
“The additions and improvements will make the airport much more user-friendly,” said Mattox.
He said more than $5 million in improvements have been made to the airport during the past decade.
The improvements also will help the city when it comes to recruiting industry, said Dick Tutich, chairman of the Airport Authority.
“Most industries won’t locate or look to expand in a community that doesn’t have a runway that’s at least 5,000 feet long,” Tutich said. “Ours is 5,500.”
In other business, the council:
appointed Brandon James and Jeremy Seal to the Civil Service Board;
approved a $500 donation to the Special Olympics; and
donated the National Guard Armory flagpole to the Russellville Board of Education for use at the softball field.
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