Since FAA funded the Cherokee County Airport expansion ahead of schedule, we now have enough runway length (4,100′) to land private jets. It would have been a better PR move for the Auto Executives to fly into our newly paved runway in Ball Ground, GA and then drive up to Washington in their fuel-efficient automobiles. While we’re on this subject, it is worth noting that they already owned the private jet and they did bring lots of people with them. It probably would have cost more to fly them all commercial and/or drive to Washington. Either way, it was bad PR move to show up in a private jet.
Showing up in a private jet is exactly what Cherokee County wants business executives to do!
The goal is to attract commercial growth to Cherokee County by having a first-class airport to accommodate private jets. The Bluffs of Technology Park and the Hickory Log Reservoir are nearby economic development projects that the county hopes will work together to attract businesses to increase our tax base. The enhanced airport will create additional income for the county with sales tax on increase fuel sales and ad valorem taxes on aircraft based at the airport.
The runway is planned to be extended to 5,000 feet in 2010. But the timely expansion to 4,100 feet will allow jets currently flying out of nearby Cobb County’s McCollum Airport to use the Cherokee Airport while paving is being conducted at McCollum.
The total expansion project, including a new terminal with conference center, will cost $34 Million – half of which is being paid for with FAA funds. The terminal building under construction is set for completion in 2009. This is a great long-term benefit to the economic growth of Cherokee County.
Photo via Cherokee Ledger
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