Jack Edwards National Airport will see big changes over the next 12 months. The Airport Authority of Gulf Shores held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new air traffic control tower facility. The much-needed air traffic control will help with air traffic and increase safety at the second busiest airport in Alabama.

The tower was made possible through $6.13 million in grant funding from both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the “CARES ACT” secured by the joint efforts of Senator Richard Shelby and congressman Bradley Byrne.

Thanks to the additional funding contributed through the “CARE ACT,” the tower I 100% grant funded. The $600,000 set aside by The Airport Authority to fund the tower will now be reallocated on the future air terminal project.

Airport Authority manager, Scott Fuller introduced John Pearsall, CEO of Elite Airways. Pearsall said it is their intent to begin providing the residents of Gulf Shores with scheduled service but could not yet release details on the destinations.

“A lot of our routes are on the East Coast presently but with this tremendous reception that we’ve been given by Scott and his team, we are just amazed at what a terrific area this is. You people are really blessed. We are very proud to be able to announce that we will have some upcoming air service here and we are working on the destinations now with Scott and his team,” Pearsall continued, “We hope to help the hotelier and businesses by bringing people in on a regular basis with service they can count on, nonstop service to some really neat destinations and when we do announce you will really understand why.”

The project is slated to be completed by July 30, 2021, with FAA commissioning proposed for Sept. 30, 2021.