County Commissioners set to invest almost half a million dollars to Perry-Houston County Airport

PERRY — For almost 80 years, the Perry-Houston County Airport Authority has been a constant source of revenue, contributing over $20 million annually to the city of Perry and the county. Houston County’s relationship with them is so strong that the county plans to invest almost half a million dollars into hangar repairs. 

In Tuesday’s Houston County Commissioners meeting, the board unanimously approved a loan agreement with the airport authority totaling $445,000 paid from the General Fund. The airport would then pay back the county by making semi-annual payments for 15 years. 

Perry Houston County Airport Manager Jim Marquardt said the hangar needing repair is 412 ft. tall and 40 ft. wide, the same size as the others. These hangars can hold up to 14 aircraft. Marquardt said this is a great investment for the county government. 

“This [loan] is going to bring in ad valorem tax for 14 more aircraft, increase the number of aircraft at the airport which increases the volume of fuel sales and helps move the airport towards self-sustaining independence,” he said in an interview. 

Marquardt said there were some elevation discrepancies with the hangar. To keep the hangar on level ground, he said the airport had to install additional infrastructure, such as a grated drain, which can be expensive. These drains help keep the airport hangars, runways and facilities dry. 

Houston County Director of Administration Robbie Dunbar said in an interview that the airport authority came to the county about six weeks ago after encountering difficulties with the construction of its latest hangar. Dunbar said the airport survives mainly on fuel sales and hangar rentals with very little financial help from the county and city.

“The [airport] is a huge asset in this county and has done remarkably well in the last 20 years,” Dunbar said. “We have a lot of industrial clients that use that airport, have a lot of people in general aviation who use it and it is an asset to attract more industry to our county.” 

Dunbar said that $445,000 is a great investment for the county. He said helping a partnering agency that gives back to the county is another example of what makes Houston County great. 

“We chip in and help them out when they need it, and it’ll be a good return on our investment,” he said.