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Jackson County Airport reports rising operations, terminal naming and multiyear projects including solar and terminal rehab
Summary
Jackson County Airport manager reported growth in aircraft operations and fuel sales, full occupancy of county-owned hangars, the naming of the terminal building for Robert H. Jordan, near-completion of a control-tower rehab, solar panels expected to supply about 65% of terminal and tower electricity, and a planned $2.8 million terminal rehab with
Juan, the county airport representative, briefed commissioners on airport operations, community outreach and capital projects.
Juan said aircraft operations were approaching 28,000 and the airport expects to exceed 40,000 operations for the year; he said the airport typically needs 30,000 operations to operate the control tower building without local funds and that the last time local funds were required for the tower was 2020. He said fuel-sales volume is on track to reach roughly 200,000 gallons for the year, with more than two-thirds of that sold as Jet A fuel to business aviation.
Juan told the committee that county-owned hangars are fully occupied and that there is a wait list of more than 20 people; he said hangar rentals, fuel sales and land leases are the airport’s primary revenue streams and that two private hangars were built in 2025 so far. He said the airport hosted an open house on Sept. 6 that attracted about 3,000 people and raised roughly $20,000 in donations for the community event.
At the open house the terminal building was officially named the Robert H. Jordan Terminal Building; Juan said Robert Jordan started Skyway Aviation at the airport in 1961 and the business remains active today.
Juan reviewed capital projects. The control-tower rehabilitation — a nearly $5 million project that began in 2023 — is essentially complete, he said, with elevator inspection scheduled and remaining minor work pending. Taxiway Bravo rehab and runway/taxiway repainting and crack sealing were completed with a $427,000 MDOT grant reported as 100% state-funded. Juan also reported completion of a solar project by Verigee (company name spelled as reported) that he said should provide about 65% of the electric usage for the terminal and control tower for the next 30 years.
He said a $2.8 million terminal building rehab is planned; he said the state approved $2 million, FAA grant sponsorship was expected to be finalized and that a state aeronautics allocation of $285,000 for 2025 would contribute to the project. Juan said planned terminal-work items include new roofing, asbestos removal, window and door replacement and interior rehabilitation.
Looking ahead, Juan said the airport is monitoring eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) developments and plans to add a vertiport concept to its 10-year airport layout plan so it will be eligible for future federal funding if the technology and funding windows open.
Commissioners voted unanimously to receive the airport semiannual report.
Ending: Juan said several projects remain in closeout or early implementation (terminal rehab sponsor contract, elevator inspection) and that the county will continue to pursue federal and state funds for major apron and connector projects.
