Oct. 07--DeFUNIAK SPRINGS -- The DeFuniak Springs Municipal Airport will break ground this week for one of several major projects to keep up with the community's growth.
Construction will begin on 10 T-hangars to house an additional 20 planes. Several more hangars are expected in the near future.
"Essentially, this should double the business of our maintenance and aviation fuel sales, and should have a ripple effect all throughout the community," said Ryan Adams, DeFuniak Springs' airport supervisor.
The airport's runway is 4,146 feet long and 60 feet wide. Officials are planning an extension that will make it at least 5,000 feet long and 75 feet wide.
The project, which is not expected to be complete until 2018, will cost an estimated $9 million. Funding will come from the Florida Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration and local funds.
An access road also is expected to be completed next year.
In addition, the airport is gearing up for its first flight with the Experimental Aviation Association, which gives young people interested in aviation an opportunity learn more.
"There are a lot of wonderful things happening at our airport," Adams said. "We're excited to see what will happen in the future."
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Angel McCurdy at 850-315-4432 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @AngelMnwfdn.
Copyright 2013 - Northwest Florida Daily News, Fort Walton Beach
