By Lisa Yates
Editor, Times of SWLA
Chennault International Airport ranks among Louisiana's “top regional economic development priorities,” Gov. Bobby Jindal said Aug. 8, the day he announced funding for major expansions. Jindal and Airport Authority officials said Aeroframe and Northrop Grumman will receive financial assistance from the Economic Development Award Program to expand their operations at Chennault.
The state's share is $1.5 million through the grant, making it a total $3 million impact for both projects with Chennault matching the state's investment. Combined expansions represent more than 500 retained jobs and 130 new jobs. “I am delighted that these two companies have committed to retain and create hundreds of good jobs in Louisiana,” Jindal said in a news release. “This is terrific news for Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana, and we look forward to supporting more job creation opportunities in the future.
These investments represent a strong step toward accomplishing that larger goal.” Airport Authority Executive Director Randy Robb told The Times, on Sept. 9, that the state’s EDAP awards are part of a larger expansion plan to support business at Chennault.
“That's what we're all about – supporting commerce,” he said. Robb said Chennault has been given grants totaling $10.435 million for commerce enhancing projects. He said the money is an investment in Southwest Louisiana, and the publicly-owned facility. “The infrastructure, buildings and one piece of equipment purchased with these funds will all be owned by Chennault,” Robb said.
New projects
He added the grants allow Chennault to move forward with much-needed improvement projects. The projects include: A new control tower, Hangar C Annex for Aeroframe; a 20,000-square-foot assembly building for Northrop; a new A300 tail dock for Aeroframe; and, Hanger G Annex – an 18,000-square-foot facility for Aeroframe. Construction has already taken place on the new $2.4 million air traffic control tower, as well as the 11,500-square-foot Hangar C Annex. Robb said the other projects are currently under engineering design and expected to bid within the next 90 days.
- He said these projects will be paid by a combination of funds, including:
- $2.875 million in federal funding,
- $2.630 million in state funding,
- $500,000 from the city of Lake Charles,
- $500,000 from Calcasieu Parish, and
- $3.930 million from Chennault.
Robb pointed to the board of directors’ efforts to develop the airport as an economic hub for the region. “This has been the dream of the people who put Chennault together years ago, and it’s up to us to create the realization of that dream for the people of the area,” he said.
Members of Chennault’s board of directors include Jonald Walker, Jane Dufrene, James Gobert, Louis Haxthausen, Russell Tritico, Larry Avery and George Vincent. Airport Authority officials added that having former state Sen. Jerry Theunissen of Jennings on board as a consultant for Chennault helped facilitate the funding for these new projects calling him “a tremendous asset.”
A new executive director
Chennault Deputy Director Charles Harvey said he was pleased to have Robb join the administrative staff as executive director. Other members of the administrative team are: Steve Harvey, airport operations director; Mike Nelson, maintenance director; and, Loretta Hanks, finance director. “This is my second day on the job,” Robb said. The new executive director started work on Sept. 8, replacing Robb Pruitt, who resigned the position in November.
Prior to Chennault, Robb served as the transportation director for the North Carolina Global TransPark. Robb said the new position was a great opportunity for him. “I am passionate about aviation,” he said. “This is a great facility with enormous potential.”
Robb is a former U.S. Navy aviator and captain with A7 and FA-18 flight experience. After retiring from the military, he worked in port management managing both the airport and harbor in the Bahamas. When the airport and port were turned over to the Bahamian government, he went to Turks and Caicos to continue working in port management.
There he served as director of operations for the Grand Turk Cruise Center. Chennault currently serves five tenants: Northrop Grumman, Aeroframe Services, Louisiana Millwork, Million Air, and SOWELA Technical Community College. Officials they are working to bring more tenants to the airport.
