Civil and Municipal - Mar 2023

38 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 3 oversees maintenance and upkeep. Anniston Aviation is also in charge of refueling on the airfield and has access to fueling trucks. Another company that utilizes the airport is Honda, which flies components in for its factory via the airfield. Jacksonville State University also used the airfield to transport its athletic teams. “We include our airport in marketing material for the city as it allows us to offer a different mode of transportation for economic development projects. And being close to the I20 allows players quick access to Birmingham, Atlanta, Chattanooga, and Knoxville, Tennessee,” says Bennington. Another mode of transportation offered to citizens of Anniston is the Amtrak service, which has a national reach. Over the last five to eight years, the airport has received improvement grants from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). These have included upgrades to the runway, taxiways, strip lighting, and apron. With various levels of projects being conducted at the airport and partly funded by the city, the goal has been to maintain a level of infrastructure that would attract companies who need large aircraft to land at the airfield. The airport’s location makes it a prime property for businesses wanting to access the southern industrial regions of the city as well as larger metropolitan areas located on the I20 highway. “Anniston Regional Airport sits in a strategic location and provides easy access to destinations in multiple areas throughout the county,” says Bennington. Anniston Regional Airport is vital to the recruitment and retention of businesses that the Calhoun County Economic Development Council utilizes. Another use for the airport has been for tours conducted by youth groups. Many of these programs allow at-risk children to view the aircraft, talk to the pilots, and learn about the aviation industry. The city would like to highlight that Anniston offers multiple forms of transportation that assist economic development. “In 2023, we’d love to inform businesses that you don’t need to drive 400 miles into Anniston. You can fly into our regional airport or use the Crescent line for the Amtrak, which also serves New Orleans, Louisiana, and Washington, DC. Anniston is ready to welcome all businesses,” concludes Bennington. PREFERRED VENDOR/PARTNER n RMC Health System www.rmccares.org