Business View Magazine Dec-2022

157 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 9, ISSUE 12 consult with entities already on the field and work together on hangar development and other renovations that would benefit everyone. “Some of the other projects we are currently working on include a runway lighting project which now has much of the environmental impact planning complete and will go into the design phase,” he continues, “Then we have what we call the Southwest Development Area which is an apron area that we’re going to build a hangar complex on. We are effectively tapped out in terms of building space or rather edge of the existing apron space to build additional hangers – this will open a lot of new development. The FAA is paying for the apron while the city takes care of utilities and a community hangar. The rest of the apron we will open for ground leases on which operators at the airport can have the opportunity to build their own hangar. Smaller upcoming projects include an updated main gate and more security fencing.” Known as Georgia’s Rose City, they showcase over 1,500 blooms in the Thomasville Rose Garden while holding a festival every spring to celebrate the flower. The Rose Show & Festival has been a southwest Georgia tradition since 1922. Then there is the Big Oak, a live oak tree that is more than 327 years old, the Jack Hadley Black History Museum, and the Taste of Thomasville Food Tour. But the main tourist draw for the region is quail hunting. More than 70 historic plantations cater to the sport, either privately, as private clubs, or publicly. From mid-November to February ends up being the airport’s busiest time of year because that is quail season. The plantations are a major source of economic THOMASV I LLE REGIONAL A I RPORT