[ July 21, 2021 ] The Pickens County Airport Authority will receive $1.8 million in funding for the construction of a new airport terminal at the Pickens County Airport. The grant, awarded by the Georgia Department of Transportation, is comprised of a combination both State and Federal funds, with a local match of only $275,000.

Earlier this month, District 11 Representative Rick Jasperse welcomed Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner Russell R. McMurry to the Pickens County Airport, where he had an opportunity to address a delegation of local representatives from our community.

The grant is a component of a joint effort made by the Pickens County Airport Authority and the Pickens County Board of Commissioners to improve and expand the caliber of services offered to Pickens County. Lead Edge Design Group has been at the forefront of these efforts, working closely with the Authority to ascertain and identify goals, and actively pursue the acquisition of funding to see that they come to fruition.

Members of the Airport Authority, as well as Lead Edge Design Group joined Pickens County Commission Chairman Kris Stancil in visiting terminals throughout North Georgia in an effort to gather a variety of potential conceptualizations for the construction of the new terminal. Ultimately, this resulted in the decision to include available funds in the bond issued for the Airport in December of 2020 in order to facilitate the commencement of the construction process.

?I am extremely excited to see the hard work of our Airport Authority come through in such an incredible way?, said Chairman Stancil. ?For many, the terminal at the airport serves as the first impression of our community. Having this space will shape this opinion in a very positive way.?

Lead Edge Design Group is currently drafting plans and preparing to submit a design proposal prior to the September timeline set forth in the grant to begin the bidding process.

Current members of the Pickens County Airport Authority include Don Boggus (Chairman), Ed Wood, Wendell Turner, Jerry Edwards, and David Johnson.