Jackson County pledges $300,000 to Scottsboro Airport hangar project, contingent on other commitments

The Jackson County Commission voted Aug. 11 to commit $300,000 from the county's industrial development fund toward a proposed corporate hangar and maintenance facility at Scottsboro Airport, contingent on confirmed matching commitments from other parties.

The pledge came after a presentation by airport backers, including Albert Williams and representatives from Hornet Aviation, who described a proposed 10,000-square-foot hangar, a 3,200-square-foot office/avionics area and associated job growth. "I need a commitment saying, you know, $300,000. If he gets his other commitments," Williams told commissioners, urging a county commitment to unlock state and federal matching dollars.

The project budget discussed in the presentation was described as about $2.1 million, based on a recent bid for a similar facility. Williams and others said the county-level commitment would be used as local match to unlock additional grants: a $500,000 commitment reportedly from the state Department of Transportation and $300,000 from the Economic Development Administration were discussed during the presentation. Williams said the state would match a city contribution of $500,000.

Commissioners asked how the airport and the proposed hangar would generate revenue for the county. Williams and Hornet Aviation representatives said the project would bring higher-paying avionics and maintenance jobs, local spending and three corporate aircraft that could add roughly $18,000 a year in local tax receipts just from those aircraft. A county staff member also confirmed that industrial development fund money cannot be used for road paving and is intended for industrial development projects.

After discussion, a commissioner moved to set aside rules and make a motion to commit $300,000 from the county's Fund 120 (Jackson County Industrial Development Fund) to the Scottsboro Municipal Airport hangar project, contingent on other parties' commitments. A second was recorded and the motion carried on a voice vote.

Commissioners and presenters emphasized the contingency: the county's $300,000 is a commitment, not an immediate cash disbursement, and the project team said construction and design phases would follow after matching funds and grant approvals are finalized. Williams said he was seeking rapid confirmation to satisfy grant timelines.

The county did not adopt a construction schedule at the meeting; presenters described a multistage process that begins with design and moves into construction as funding is secured. Commissioners directed staff to follow up on grant conditions and reporting requirements tied to the Fund 120 disbursement.

Albert Williams, who spoke in favor of the project and described prior work with the Alabama Aviation Council and the Economic Development Administration, said the hangar would expand maintenance, avionics and inspection capacity at the airport and create apprenticeship and workforce-training connections with the local community college.

The commission recorded the commitment without a roll-call tally in the minutes; the motion passed by voice vote. Commissioners said they would coordinate with the city of Scottsboro and other partners to confirm the match and return to the commission with next steps if needed.