FAA Provides $26 Million for First Phase of Airport Construction

At a special meeting on September 7, the Airport Authority accepted a $26 million grant from the FAA for the first phase of airport construction. In May 2007, the Airport Authority received a letter from the FAA pledging at least $72 million in discretionary funds over four years for the project. Another $7 million is available to the Airport Authority through its regular annual disbursement from the FAA.

Airport Authority Chairman Joe Tannehill said receipt of the FAA grant “solidifies our financial position and allows us to make very specific plans for the first phase of a new Panama City – Bay County International Airport… We continue to make progress towards ground breaking.”

Previously the Airport Authority has said it expects to break ground this fall.