FOLEY - The Foley council voted in support of a resolution appropriating funds to the Gulf Shores Regional Airport Authority in an amount not to exceed $28,000. Council President Wayne Trawick said he believes the Gulf Shores Regional Airport will support the entire southern end of Baldwin County. The airport is located approximately 2.7 miles south of Foley city limits.

“The Gulf Shores Airport Authority has a design for a terminal that would have up to six gates,” said City Administrator Mike Thompson. “With these funds, it’s not that we’re just going to write them a check tomorrow. What we’re doing is we’re committing to provide up to $28,000 towards a grant match if they were to get a Department of Transportation grant that would allow them to market their airport to carriers. So assuming they get a grant, we would be committing to provide them these funds to help them with the match.”

If the grant is awarded this fiscal year, the funds would be divided between two fiscal years, with $14,000 being given this fiscal year and $14,000 being given next fiscal year. If the grant isn’t secured until the next fiscal year, Foley council would consider a resolution to appropriate the entire $28,000 at that time.

“If you could get a regional airline in the airport it would benefit our citizens and connectivity to other airports,” said Mayor Ralph Hellmich. “It’s just a sight of the growth in the area, and we want to become a partner with all the stakeholders to do this.”

For more information, check out https://cityoffoley.org.