The Cullman County Commission on a unanimous voice vote authorized a county local match for an Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant to build a turbine maintenance hangar on the south end of the county airport. County staff said the building already is under lease and is expected to be finished in spring 2026.

County staff member Ben told commissioners the ARC grant will cover most of the hangar cost and that the county and city each will provide a local match. "This grant partially funds the hangar," Ben said. "So the 734 there's a 734 County portion and 734 City portion, and then we have a grant to cover the rest of the funding on the bill." He also said, "The building is already under lease as soon as it's finished. Yes, sir. Should be finished spring 26."

Why it matters: the hangar is described by staff as a turbine maintenance facility that county officials say will serve airport tenants and support maintenance activities. Approving the local match allows the county to accept the federal-state-local funding package and proceed with construction and tenancy arrangements.

Details of the vote and next steps: commissioners moved and seconded the item and approved it by voice vote; no roll-call vote or abstentions were recorded in the meeting transcript. Staff indicated construction completion is expected in spring 2026 and that lease terms already are in place; no lease party names or contract terms were read into the record.

Financial and implementation context: the transcript records a county portion and city portion described in shorthand as "734," with staff saying the grant covers the remainder. The meeting packet or grant documents were not read in full during the hearing, and the precise total project cost and grant amount were not specified on the record.

What the commission authorized: the chair was authorized to sign the related documents so the county can accept the ARC grant and obligate the local match. No additional direction to staff or conditions were recorded beyond authorization to sign the agreement.

The commission will consider construction progress and any related budget adjustments in future meetings as procurement and invoicing occur.