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Improvements Planned For Ashe Airport
Jefferson, NC,
March 2, 2006
A meeting was held last week at the Ashe County Airport to look at a plan for expansion and improvements to the local airport and Congresswoman Virginia Foxx brought Florida Congressman John Mica, who is chairman of the U.S. House’s Aviation Subcommittee
By Fawn Roark
Both Mica and Foxx seemed very interested in the plan presented by County Manager Dan McMillan and other local officials. The four year plan is proposing new improvements including a relocation of the present airport access road and expansion of the terminal area at an estimated cost of $1.5 million. A 700 foot extension of the runway is also being proposed and would cost an estimated total of $4.7 million. Officials say the enhancements to the airport would greatly help with economic development for the county. “When I was here for our listening tour in January, one of the top priorities discussed was the airport. Because I knew Congressman Micah very well and he is the chairperson of the Aviation Subcommittee of DOT, he came up here. He gave me Friday’s date so I rearranged my schedule so he could come here. He is very positive about the airport and understands how important it is for economic development here to have the airport so that a lot of people can use it,” Foxx said Saturday in an interview during the Ashe County Heart Breakfast. Foxx and Mica toured Smith’s Aerospace after a quick tour of the airport and she said they were very pleased with what is happening at Smith’s. “We were both extremely impressed with Smith’s Aerospace. He said one of his major areas of interest is keeping aerospace in this country. He was really pleased to visit there,” Foxx explained. “We will both try our best to come back to the grand opening and the congressman wants to bring some of his staff back for that event. We want to do anything we can to help them and their efforts. I believe two major things brought Smith’s to this county – the availability of the building and an experienced workforce in this area.” PHOTO CAPTION: ### |
A meeting was held last week at the Ashe County Airport to look at a plan for expansion and improvements to the local airport and Congresswoman Virginia Foxx brought Florida Congressman John Mica, who is chairman of the U.S. House’s Aviation Subcommittee with her.