12/2/2007 - Lanett Airport is Back!
For the past two years, the Lanett airport was listed CLOSED by NOTAM, but now is OPEN according to City Manager, Joel Holley. "We are no longer the poster child for the state's worst airport", says Holley. The City of Lanett is completing a one million dollar upgrade to the 3,150 foot lighted general aviation runway and facilities. Along with the runway and ramp rehabilitation, land was purchased and the approaches are now clear through the safety zones. The airport property includes 200 acres. In fact, you can now see the runway from I-85. They could be known now as the airport poster child for progress.
-Lanett Municipal Airport 7A3- click to enlarge
A few years ago the airport was all but abandoned with grass growing through cracks and trees looming on both ends on the runway. The closure was the last call that it was time to upgrade and repair or loose the valuable community asset. But all that is history now that city officials are overseeing the airport progress.
-Terminal Area in 2003-
It was indeed a bleak period for the area including West Point, LaGrange, Valley and Lanett, where mill closures over the years put hundreds out of work. A study by the Economic Partnership of Alabama envisioned the I-85 corridor, eighty miles from Georgia to Montgomery as prime for attracting new industry and so it has. A number of new companies are building along I-85 and one of them is the new Kia auto plant. The one billion dollar manufacturing plant, now under construction is scheduled to open in 2009. It will employ more than 2,500 and is located near West Point, Georgia, a few miles from Lanett.
-Mike ("Fossil") Ballard, local pilot and aircraft owner with Joel Holley, City Manager-
Believing the airport is valuable to economic growth, this is just the start "for the city owned jewel." A perfect location adjacent to Interstate 85 and the Huguley Industrial Parks and just seven minutes away from the Cusseta Industrial Park, Holley described plans to grow the facility to attract more business.
He says a new fuel system will be installed and the office area is undergoing repairs. Aviation business pending is aircraft upholstery and maintenance. A grand opening will be held after the first of the year. Future plans could include a new wider and longer runway to accommodate corporate aircraft as well as a new terminal building. Holley is proud of their accomplishments and it shows.
-Formation flight of RV-8 aircraft over Lanett Airport, image courtesy Mike Ballard-
Pilots on the field wasted little time getting in the air over town. A formation of RV-8s took to the air as soon as the field was open. Things are looking up for the City and Lanett Municipal and their future is bright. Welcome back Lanett Airport- 7A3, you look beautiful. -Betty Meyer, FMI: City of Lanett
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