GRANTS, N.M. –
The hard work of former Airport Manager Ray Jenkins is beginning to materialize as State Representative Harry Garcia managed to secure significant funds to give the Grants-Milan Airport necessary upgrades.
Beaming with pride, Jenkins said that the new upgrades to the airport will create new economic opportunity for the City of Grants, which could include more college classes relating to aeronautics, the potential for flight training at the airport, and aircraft repair services.
A mechanics shop will be coming to the airport, allowing travelers to repair their planes without needing to travel to a larger airport for the service. A new terminal building will also be coming. The current structure has stood since the 1970s and thanks to upkeep and beautification work by Jenkins, the building doesn’t look to be in bad shape, but is in need of upgrades.
These plans have been stirring in Jenkin’s head for years, working with
Representative Garcia to get a plan together was the first step in making his dreams come true. Pedro Rael, Aviation Division Director for the New Mexico Department of Transportation, worked hand-in-hand with Rep. Garcia and Eileen Yarborough, Director of Cibola Communities Economic Development, to find matching funds for the City of Grants.
Due to the work put in by Rep. Garcia, Aviation Director Rael, and Jenkins, the City of Grants will not need to put any matching funds into this grant, it will be completely paid for by the State of New Mexico.
The city will use this money to build a new airport terminal and open a technical maintenance facility.
“[Mr. Jenkins] you were here before, and you were interested in this and you’re probably responsible for at least 50 percent of this whole thing,” Aviation Director Rael said to Jenkins, “I would have no problem with you attending our everything because you have your heart in this airport.”
Representative Garcia explained that through his efforts, $1 million have been earmarked to this project, “Maybe more, if we can stretch it.” A full match will be made by the Aviation Department.
Getting to this point required a lot of work, with Garcia and Jenkins occasionally butting heads, the two laughed off the struggles and thanked each other for the hard work required to allocate this money. Rael explained that Jenkins had a nearly shovel ready project, which is why so much money could be allocated by the state to see this happen.
Representative Garcia cautioned City Manager Donald Jaramillo, “A word of wisdom to everyone in here: Do it now. Funding is here now, when I first started in Santa Fe my first year, we had allocated a lot of money and then it went away the next year. Do it now. It’s money that is there and its here now, this funding is essential do it now. Don’t wait until tomorrow or next week because the funding is here now and the possibility of it going away is very real, I’ve seen it happen before and I don’t want to see our community lose a big deal.”
When Manager Jaramillo asked about the timeframe for the grant application and how quickly things can get started, Rael said, “What time is it?” The project is ready to go immediately.
Opening a maintenance shop is a giant leap into economic development opportunities, Rael and Jenkins said, while the airport is not yet ready for commercial service, this project will open doors to make commercial passenger service a future possibility. Jenkins said that the airport is excited for the future, and is proud to be opening new avenues of economic growth for Grants, New Mexico.