Local officials celebrate the opening of a new airport terminal in Stephens County.
Community leaders gathered at the Toccoa-Stephens County Airport Tuesday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Toccoa-Stephens County Airport Authority Chairman John Taylor said that this day was a long time coming.
“The Airport Authority has worked diligently over the years to help develop this airport into what it is today and there are a lot of people we need to give appreciation to for all of the work they have done out here,” said Taylor.
Toccoa Vice-Mayor David Austin said it is a great day for both the city and county.
“I know in the past 12 years I have been on the commission, we have been looking at plans and talking about this thing and it goes back even further than that,” said Austin. “In looking at the plans, I am amazed at how much better this looks than I could have ever imagined. It is just glorious.”
Stephens County Commission Chairman J.B. Hudgins agreed and credited the volunteers for their work at the airport over the years.
“When I started coming to this airport in the mid 1940s, it did not look like this,” said Hudgins. “We had a hangar and a strip. That is about it, so there are big changes happening and it has been due to the volunteers that have led us.”
State Representative Michael Harden said this terminal project is an example of a team effort, while Stephens County Development Authority Executive Director Tim Martin, speaking on behalf of Development Authority Chairman Cam Parker, thanked the citizens for supporting the project.
Meanwhile, Georgia Adjutant General Jim Butterworth said the new terminal will help with economic development.
“The main point is build it and they will come,” said Gen. Butterworth. “You have built it. You had the vision to put a place where you can greet people who will bring industry to this area.”
Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce Chairman Barry Roberts, who shared that opinion, says that this terminal will provide a wonderful gateway into the community.
“If you bring people through here, prospective clients, business clients, visitors, they are going to be impressed,” said Roberts. “This is a beautiful place to be.”
Ground was broken for the approximately 6,000 square-foot terminal back in March.
At the time of the groundbreaking, officials estimated that the total project cost was expected to come in at around $1.5 million, with the building itself costing about $1.1 million. Some of the funding for the project came from a $500,000 OneGeorgia Grant. The rest of the money came from SPLOST V funds.
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