Video: GTRA Director Wants Funding For New Carrier

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WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – The Golden Triangle Regional Airport has its eye westward as part of its continuing growth.

Airport Director Mike Hainsey is making his rounds to city and county governments, seeking pledges to bolster a $500,000 incentive package that he believes would bring in a new carrier to provide westbound flights.

The local money would match a $750,000 federal grant and $250,000 in airport-based incentives. The money would be used to help guarantee an airline’s first-year revenues and wouldn’t all be needed the better the new carrier performed.

Hainsey says the earliest any money might be needed would be October of this year because it likely would take that long to recruit a new carrier and get them started. The airport is targeting service to Dallas with Houston or Denver as other options.

Tuesday night he pleaded his case to the West Point Board of Selectmen, which approved a resolution stating it would put forward $25,000 for the package.

Hainsey is also seeking pledges from Columbus, Starkville, and Lowndes, Oktibbeha and Clay counties.