NATCHEZ - Natchez-Adams County Airport Director Richard Nelson told Mayor Don Gibson and board of aldermen he’s preparing a grant application from the U.S. Commerce Department for securing commercial airline service. A recent study showed more than 800 locals per week were flying out of other airports that could be flying out of Natchez if the city had an air carrier. The $1M grant requires a 20 percent local match. The grant sets up contingency funds as risk mitigation for a prospective air carrier if the number of passengers projected are not sold after service starts. Fifteen of 61 applicants received grants in 2021 and none pledged the minimum of $200,00, according to Nelson. The county pledged $100,000 from its American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds toward the grant match. Mayor Gibson hopes to convince the county to pony up about $300,000. The mayor has called a meeting of an airport task force for 10 a.m. on March 1. The airport director is attending a conference this coming week to secure a letter from a commercial carrier saying it has interest in Natchez if the airport gets the grant. The airport has to have local contributions to establish a public-private partnership. Nelson also informed the mayor and aldermen about a Mississippi Development Authority grant aimed for communities that have a casino. That grant could be as much as $2.5M but does not require local matching funds. The grant was written for Gulfport and that coastal city “does not have a need this year and Tunica isn’t asking for the money,” said Nelson. Between the two grants and the study, Natchez is in a prime position to capture an air carrier service” said the airport executive. (Source: Natchez Democrat 02/18/22)
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