The Stuttgart Municipal Airport has received over $1 million in additional funds over the previous week. The Economic Development Administration (EDA) and Stuttgart City Council both approved and announced money that will be funneled into Stuttgart’s airport for additional jobs and needed improvements for CAVU Aerospace.
CAVU Aerospace, which leases space from the Stuttgart Municipal Airport, takes in large aircraft and rehabilitates parts and equipment.
The City of Stuttgart will receive $1 million from the EDA to construct a hanger, roadway and parking lot at the airport.
“The airport additions will support the expansion of existing companies while enhancing opportunities for future regional growth and job creation. This project is projected to save 20 jobs, create 20 new jobs and leverage $400,000 in private investment,” the EDA said in its press release.
Stuttgart was one of seven Arkansas cities to receive money through the EDA.
“This will bring more jobs,” Stuttgart Mayor Marianne Maynard said.
Maynard announced the new money during Tuesday’s Stuttgart City Council meeting after the council approved another $344,000 in grant funds for airport improvements.
The approved resolution reads, “the FAA grant shall consist of approximately $377,932 payable from funds of the U.S. government and approximately $41,993 payable from funds of the Arkansas Department of Aeronautics.”
The scheduled work is for larger airplanes to land and maneuver at the Stuttgart airport.
It was listed as “Taxiway A South widening and runway 9-27 edge light rehabilitation.”
“So we can turn anything off the runway,” Stuttgart Municipal Airport Manager Carl Humphrey explained. “Mostly CAVU or any military aircraft.”
Other projects receiving EDA funding include:
• Corning: The City of Corning will receive $1.2 million to construct rail improvements to an industrial site in the northeastern part of the city. This project will support business expansion and increase disaster resiliency in the region. The upgraded railroad track is projected to create 942 jobs and leverage $165 million in private investment.
• Fayetteville: The University of Arkansas Board of Trustees will receive $597,116 to expand the outreach services at the World Trade Center at the University of Arkansas and map existing transportation assets to better support international trade. This project will diversify and strengthen Arkansas’s economy.
• Fort Smith: The City of Fort Smith will receive $1.2 million to make infrastructure improvements for the new Arkansas Osteopathic Medical School in Fort Smith. The Medical School will be a source of long-term job creation, and the project is expected to create 65 jobs.
• Hope: The City of Hope will receive $1.2 million to construct an access road and install drainage improvements along Interstate 30 which will support business development throughout the city. The project is anticipated to create 85 jobs and leverage $40 million in private investment.
• Morrilton: The University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton will receive $1.1 million to fund site preparation and water line improvements to support the construction of a new workforce training center on the college’s campus. The new facility will be used to train workers for careers in industries such as heating and air conditioning technology, automotive service and collision repair technology, and diesel engine mechanics technology.
• Pine Bluff: The Southeast Arkansas Economic Development District and Lake Providence Port Commission will receive $1.2 million to upgrade the rail line that runs from Lake Village, AR to Lake Providence, LA. This rail line will provide an alternate means of transportation for manufactures and business, stimulating job growth in the area. This project is expected to create 24 jobs.
http://www.stuttgartdailyleader.com/article/20140928/NEWS/140929710