(OBA®) – Gulf Shores, AL – Exciting things are happening and plenty of other exciting things are on the drawing board at Jack Edwards Airport in Gulf Shores.

“The tower construction is complete, electronics installation and new airport weather station is moving along with commissioning still scheduled for mid-November,” Airport Authority Manager Scott Fuller said. “We will schedule and advertise a ribbon cutting with tower tours before we begin actual start up and go secure.”

Also, preliminary planning is underway to bring a passenger terminal to Gulf Shores.

“The Authority approved an agreement with Brett J Simon Aviation, Cincinnati, to assist in the development and execution of a public private participation project for construction of the new air service terminal located near the new tower,” Fuller said. “The Authority has received six statements of interests from firms willing to invest representing some of the largest airport operators in the world. This process is slated to take 90 days with negotiations expected and project completion by the end of 2022.”

 Even further down the road are additional safety measures that will be needed to support the growing airport.

“Upcoming projects in addition to terminal for 2022 is additional firefighting capacity vehicle and fire station for 2023,” Fuller said. “The Authority is nearing the completion of a branding effort which will result in a new look for the airport and future developments thereon such as signage, etc. Also, this could entail a name modification to be revealed at the tower opening.”

 Originally, the $5.3 million tower project was to be funded by a 90-10 split with the FAA putting up the larger amount and the authority’s match would have been about $700,000. The authority then received a grant from the COVID Cares Act which covered the its costs on the project.

“The $700,000 in Airport Authority funds set aside for the tower construction will be reallocated to the future

terminal project,” Authority Chairman Vic Roberts said.

The airport is now the second busiest in Alabama second only to Birmingham and its traffic will rank it in the top 40 of 256 FAA towers in the country.

“Jack Edwards National Airport serves the thriving business and tourism market in Gulf Shores, South Baldwin County, and communities along the Alabama Gulf Coast,” Mayor Robert Craft said. “This full-service airport is an outstanding asset creating jobs and diversification opportunities for new and existing businesses. (The airport) is vital to the development and continued economic growth of the area and provides a transportation hub for anyone traveling for business, recreation, and/or relaxation.”