Grants fund improvements at airport

Homepage

September 1, 2010

W. TERRY SMITH Editor The Daily Southerner Wed Sep 01, 2010, 10:49 AM EDT

TARBORO — The Tarboro-Edgecombe County Airport accepted three grants totaling a half million dollars Tuesday that will help fund improvement projects at the town and country airport.

Each project improves safety, said consultant Dain Riley of The LPA Group in Raleigh.

“No one can say this is an antiquated airport,” Riley said. “It will have the best minimums it can have.”

Authority Chairman Jack Brinson added, “It’s addressing the needs of today.”

The authority voted unanimously to accept a $200,000 state grant that requires a 2.5 percent match ($5,128) and a $63,000 federal grant that requires a10 percent match ($7,000) for the transitional surface-clearing project.

That includes the clearing all trees on the newly acquired 58 acres the authority purchased from the Ralph Whitehurst family.

The authority Tuesday accepted the low bid of $218,250 by Sawyer’s Land Developing Co. of Belhaven. It was $44,150 less than the second lowest bid by Byrd Brothers of Wilson.

“I’m not familiar with (Sawyer’s),” Riley said.

“Sawyer’s does a lot of work for us,” said authority member Scott Fisher of Barnhill Contracting Co. “They will do a good job.”

Removing the trees will eliminate a crosswind that can bother larger, faster aircraft on the runway and make way for the new Automated Weather Observation Service (AWOS).

The AWOS will provide wind direction and speed, humidity, barometric pressure, ceiling, visibility, rain and temperature readings. It will also lower visibility conditions about 25 feet.

Equipment for the AWOS has been delivered and work is scheduled to start this month and be completed by October or November.

The third grant was for the taxi turnaround required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The $237,000 federal grant requires a 10 percent match ($26,334). It is a $263,334 project that will have money left over, Riley said.

“We can use that to start on fencing,” Brinson said.

The taxi turnaround is to be advertised for bids in January and the job completed by May 30.

"The (taxi turnaround) costs about two and a half times what the airport cost to begin with,” Brinson said, chuckling.

The airport off N.C. 33 North was given to the town and county in the 1970s by Robert Barnhill Sr. Some residents still refer to it as “Barnhill International.”

Text Only

Homepage

Jackie Sheppard of Princeville considers her young son, Ja'Sean, to be her lifesaver. Sheppard was getting her prenatal checkups when she was discovered with breast cancer.

Grateful Princeville woman helps others navigate breast cancer
While still in the womb, Ja’Sean Sheppard proved to be a lifesaver.
His mom, Jackie Sheppard of Princeville, was expecting a normal, healthy pregnancy when suddenly she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer

May 24, 2012 1 Photo
NC Symphony coming to town on May 31
Aimee Pitt's family honors her memory

Local News

DAR Micajah Pettaway Chapter sees fashions and styles of Jackie Kennedy Onasis
The DAR Micajah Pettaway Chapter met 11:00 a. m., Thursday, May 17 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. After Frankie Powell, First Vice Regent, welcomed everyone, she introduced new members Mary Ann Crawford, Angela Urquhart and prospective member Jaiann Rains from Rocky Mount.

May 24, 2012
Civitas Poll: Parents primed for school reform

Sports

Pictured are the Rocky Mount girls soccer team. Kneeling (left to right): Raven Norton, Rachel Williams, Ashley Bissette, Kylie Westcott, Miller Clark, and Morgan Griffin. Standing (left to right): Deanna Mayo, Allison Barnes, Emily Ferguson, Stephanie Lossau, Carolyn Boddie, Cam Dengler, Alex Thompson, Grace Mayo, and Megan Shearin.

Eagles have good season
Under the leadership of Coach James Westcott, the 2012 Lady Eagles Varsity soccer team had its best season in six yea

May 24, 2012 1 Photo
Hayes, Harris Co-Players of the Year

Opinion

To The Editor
To the Editor:
A recent news story about the Montford Marines honors the important and too-often forgotten group of men. However, some of the statements in the story were wrong and need correction.

February 20, 2012

Lifestyles

Summerlin/Moore
Scottie and Jeanette Summerlin are proud to announce the engagement of their daughter, Jennifer Summerlin to Allen Moore

May 21, 2012 1 Photo

Obituaries Archives

Food

Use Your Summer Tomatoes
One of the most wonderful things about summer is fresh tomatoes. I could eat them three times a day. The tomatoes that we find in the market during the winter just aren’t the same. They don’t taste like they are even in the same family. Of course that’s because they are picked green and shipped all over the country. However, during the glorious days of summer, we can find fresh, ripe locally grown tomatoes almost anywhere. Do you have tomatoes yet? We don't and I can hardly wait! Our plants look great but alas, no tomatoes yet.

May 23, 2012 2 Photos
The world's best BBQ started in the south
From the garden
It’s grilling time but don’t forget the sides

Events

May 23 - June 2, 2012
MAY 20-26

Public Works Week
Please recognize our Pulbic Works Employees during this week with our Annual Public Works Equipment Show, to be held at the Environmental Services Complex located at 1221 Thorpe Road in Rocky Mt., from 4-6pm.

MAY 23

Depression
Recognizing and Treating Depression from 5:30pm-6:30pm at Vidant Family Medicine in Pinetops. To register or for more information call 252-641-7126.

Stroke Camp
For survivors and their families from 2-6pm, at the E.L. Roberson Center. Get your FREE Stroke Screening. Sponsored by Vidant Edgecombe Hospital.

Golden Kiwanis
Meets at E.L. Roberson Center at 9:45am. The speaker is Cathy Webb and she will discuss “Early College”.

Biking Club
Tarboro Parks & Recreation will be holding an interest meeting for all those interested in biking. Come out and share your thoughts and ideas on how to enhance a fun, exciting, and fit biking club. “Ride On” At the Braswell Center 6pm.

May 23, 2012

Our Community

Carver throws pep rally to inspire students for EOG testing
The multi-purpose room at G.W. Carver Elementary School was transformed into a rock concert for students last Friday as teachers and guests inspired the students to “Rock the EOGS”.

May 23, 2012 1 Photo
Tarboro’s Stewart graduates from The Citadel

Garden Tips

Edgecombe Garden Club learns horticultural tips
The Edgecombe Garden Club met Feb. 1, 2012 in the Fountains of the Albemarle.
Sheila Sidway, a Nash County Master Gardener and Rocky Mount Garden Club Horticulturist, spoke on “Horticulture Tips.”

April 5, 2012
A splash of late winter color

Homepage

Search Results

Grants fund improvements at airport

With gas prices dropping, would you consider taking a Memorial Day trip?

Site Map