Pickens Airport will receive over 1.7 million in grant funding
News February 18, 2022
PICKENS, Ga. — The Pickens County Airport will receive up to $1,741,049.12 after the Board of Commissioners voted to authorize acceptance of grant funding. The board also approved a rental agreement with the intent to relocate the county’s Board of Elections office.
Discussing the funding, Chairman Kris Stancil said, “The grant is from the Georgia Department of Transportation Aviation and the FFA in order to do runway crack seals, replace the windsock, relocate beacon, relocate and replace the AWOS system, terminal area site prep and paving, construct terminal building at the Pickens County Airport. I know this has been something we’ve discussed in a couple of previous meetings before, but they have sent over the official authorization in order for us to accept that grant.”
Phil Eberly, with Lead Edge Design Group, noted that “It’s supporting the amount of traffic and activity at the airport. Many of these things are bringing us into compliance with current FA criteria on items that we already have in place … that’s fantastic that we’re offered that, much more than a normal airport would get.” Chairman Stancil also noted the amount of money listed on the agreement, “The maximum amount the department shall be obligated to pay is $1,741,049.12.”
The grant funding approved at the Feb. 17 meeting comes after the board approved another grant agreement from American Rescue Plan funding through the Georgia Department of Transportation last month. During the Jan. 20, 2022 meeting, Chairman Stancil explained “They [GDOT] took a portion of the funds that were brought in from the federal government. I think statewide they had $3,458,000 to distribute out amongst local airports for different maintenance projects.” The Pickens County Airport received a $32,000 share of that funding.
The board also approved a rental agreement with the Georgia State Properties Commission. Chairman Stancil explained that the county had been in discussions with the Georgia State Patrol about a property located at 3100 Camp Rd: “We were able to renegotiate a new lease agreement with the Department of Public Safety along with the State Properties Commission to allow the county to have access to the portion of the property.” Stancil noted that not all of the building was being utilized, “The total square foot of the building is about 8500. This would then change the amount that the Georgia State Patrol would occupy to 6230, and then the remaining would come to the county. He explained that the purpose of access to the building is to move the Board of Elections office into the new space, saying it would allow more accessibility to residents. Chairman Stancil said he was “very thankful that we’ve had … the engagement, working back and forth with the State Patrol.” The rental agreement will create a 10 year lease on the property.
Stancil takes the election and the helm of the county
Election 2020, News November 5, 2020
Kris Stancil said he wants to make upright decisions and bring the community together for common goals.
Photo by Susan Kirkland
Kris Stancil talks with Marsha Jasperse, wife of Rep. Rick Jasperse Tuesday night.
He will take the helm as the new chairman for the Pickens County Board of Commissioners. Tuesday’s win against independent candidate David Shouse brought a two-year campaign to close.
“It feels like it’s gone on and on forever,” said Stancil to a group who gathered downtown to watch the election results come in with him. Most wore campaign shirts and cheered when the numbers posted around 11 p.m.
Stancil said the victory was “humbling.”
WATCH THE VIDEO OF STANCIL'S REMARKS
He ran on the platform of aligning Pickens County with goals set out in two comprehensive plans. Those issues include helping animal control and the animal shelter.
“I think so much has been talked about who is on the left and who is on the right and I think it really should be who is upright,” he said, speaking to the crowd. “That’s why I need you. I need you to challenge everything I do. Hold me to the standard that is upright.”
Stancil claimed 11,929 votes, or 72.59-percent with Shouse taking 4,504
Photo by Susan Kirkland
Kris Stancil won the election to become the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners.
votes, or 27.41-percent. There are 23,766 register voters in Pickens County and according to the Georgia Secretary of State’s website, 17,172 ballots were cast, netting 72.25-percent. In the chairman’s race, 16,433 votes were cast.
PICKENS VOTING RESULTS
Stancil will take the reins from current Chairman of the Pickens County Board of Commissioner, Rob Jones. Jones who has served for 16 years, the first eight as sole commissioner and the last half of his career as the chairman with Becky Denney and Jerry Barnes serving as board members.
“Sheriff, I need to tender my resignation for Dec. 31. It’s been an incredible ride for the last twelve years,” he told Sheriff Donnie Craig while the crowd laughed.