Lowndes OKs GTRA funds

The Lowndes County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Jan. 15 to commit $125,000 toward an incentive package to help secure westbound air service from the Golden Triangle Regional Airport. Lowndes’ commitment is part of a $1.5 million revenue-guarantee that GTRA Director Mike Hainsey is to present to airlines. Hainsey is asking for a total of $500,000 ($125K from Lowndes and Columbus; $100K each from Oktibbeha County and Starkville; and $25K each from Clay County and West Point). The remainder of the funding will come from a $750,000 Small Community Air Service Development grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, along with $200,000 in gate-fee waivers and $50,000 of marketing expenses the airport will provide the carrier. GTRA's primary focus is on flights to Dallas with American Airlines. However, if all of the entities do not meet the funding pledge, the deal would be void, Hainsey confirmed. (Source: Columbus Dispatch, 01/15/15)