City in DeSoto County buying its own airport

Memphis Business Journal
 
City in DeSoto County buying its own airport
 
By Jason Bolton
 
One of the busiest metro airports will be under a local city’s ownership, thanks to an FAA grant.
 
Olive Branch Airport was awarded $14.9 million in a recent round of Airport Improvement Program funding by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The funding was part of $616.9 million in airport infrastructure grants announced by U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao on Aug. 24.
 
"The [Transportation] Department has been investing heavily in our nation's airport infrastructure, which will strengthen economic growth and create jobs in communities across the country," Secretary Chao said in a release.
 
The Olive Branch Airport is currently privately owned and one of the busiest general aviation airports in Mississippi. The almost $15 million grant will assist the City of Olive Branch in purchasing the 460-acre airport.
 
“Transferring ownership of the Olive Branch Airport to the city will increase its attractiveness as a general aviation and business air travel facility,” said U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.). “The city will be able to market the facility as an economic development asset to draw industry and other business to North Mississippi.”
 
The Olive Branch Airport has been in operation since 1972, and in addition to other air traffic, it serves as a reliever airport for Memphis International Airport for general aviation and commercial clients.
 
“The Olive Branch Airport is a vital part of the local economy and bringing it under city ownership will ensure its presence and growth for decades to come,” Olive Branch Mayor Scott Phillips said.
 
The new Lieutenant Colonel Luke Weathers Jr. Flight Academy also operates out of the Olive Branch facility.