Richmond County is moving forward with another major improvement at the Richmond County Airport after commissioners approved a construction bid worth more than $2.4 million.
The Richmond County Board of Commissioners awarded the East Ramp Expansion Project to Fred Smith Company during its September 1 meeting. The company submitted a bid of $2,422,242.
County officials said the project initially went out for bids in July but had to be advertised again because only two proposals were received. When the bids were opened in August, both came in approximately 20 percent below the engineer’s estimate of more than $3 million.
Funding for the project is expected to come from two state sources. A $1.9 million State Transportation Improvement Program grant will pay for part of the construction. County officials anticipate receiving approximately $923,000 in additional state aid to cover the remaining construction costs and associated engineering expenses.
Officials said the funding package is expected to cover the full project without requiring a local match, although the final amount of the second grant could change.
The Richmond County Airport is classified by the state as a “green airport.” The designation does not refer to environmental performance. Instead, it applies to certain publicly owned general-aviation airports, often located in rural or economically distressed counties, that may qualify for full state funding.
The east-ramp project is intended to expand the airport’s operational capacity and continue ongoing aviation improvements in Richmond County.
Additional reporting is available from the Richmond County Daily Journal.
