404 At Last! USACE Issues Final Permit

The Airport Authority announced today that the airport relocation project was entering the construction phase now that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had issued the final permit necessary to begin construction of the new airport.

The Airport Authority press release said in part:

The Panama City – Bay County International Airport and Industrial District (Airport Authority) announced today that its airport relocation project is entering the construction phase now that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has issued the final necessary federal permit, completing the permitting process. The new airport will be located in western Bay County north of County Road 388 and east of State Road 79 on land being donated by The St. Joe Company (NYSE: JOE).

"“With the permitting process now complete, we have entered the construction phase of the project,” said Airport Authority Chairman Joe Tannehill. “We intend to move expeditiously to a groundbreaking.”

“The receipt of this permit marks yet another major milestone in the decade long effort to bring better air service to Bay County and all of Northwest Florida,” said Tannehill. “We have moved a giant step closer to providing this community the opportunity for better air service and more competitive fares; the opportunity to attract new business, industry and jobs to our region; and the opportunity to protect West Bay and preserve tens of thousands of acres for public use and enjoyment.”

With a little luck, we may see a groundbreaking next month.