Commission approves $70,000 Triumph amendment to replace Haney Technical College hangar roof

The Franklin County Board of County Commissioners on June 3 approved an amendment to the Triumph Gulf Coast grant for the Tom P. Haney Technical College project at the Apalachicola Regional Airport, adding $70,000 to the original $250,000 award.

Fiscal Manager Erin Griffith told commissioners that hangar renovations are nearly complete but that roof replacement and site improvements exceeded the current grant budget. The $70,000 amendment will fund the hangar roof replacement, landscaping and parking improvements. Triumph requires seven additional certifications for the added amount and the county requested a one‑year extension of the performance period — moving the completion deadline from December 31, 2030 to December 31, 2031 — to allow five full years for students to earn certifications. AOED recommended approval and the Board voted 5‑0 to authorize the chairman to sign the amendment.

Airport Manager Steve Kirschenbaum said the Haney project is “in the home stretch,” and noted signage, privacy fencing and roofing issues that led to the amendment. Kirschenbaum said he will attend the Triumph meeting in Panama City where the amendment will be considered.

The Board also approved related airport items during the meeting, including an FDOT staging agreement for emergency staging at the airport; Attorney Michael Shuler confirmed the agreement includes temporary storage of equipment and housing as proposed.

What this means: the amendment keeps Haney Technical College’s hangar project moving toward full usability and preserves the county’s ability to claim additional student certifications required by Triumph for the added funds. The Board’s approval was unanimous (5‑0).