"Baton Rouge Airport seeks state funds"

Tuesday, January 16, 2001

Airport seeks state funds
Officials say money will help create new jobs
By ADRIAN ANGELETTE
Baton Rouge (LA) Advocate


Metro Airport, Pennington Biomedical Research Center and Louisiana
Technology Park all want more money from the state in the next legislative
session.

But officials with those agencies contend this isn't a case of take and no
give.

They promise hundreds of jobs and new companies for the Baton Rouge market.

Aviation Director Anthony Marino said that in return for a $3 million
allocation from the state for a regional jet maintenance center, the airport
will deliver 420 airline mechanic jobs to Baton Rouge. He said those jobs
pay $39,800 a year.

Marino said Baton Rouge is tops on a short list of three cities to get the
facility and should know before the session whether it beats out Alexandria
and Fayetteville, Ark.

State Rep. Melvin "Kip" Holden, D-Baton Rouge, said he's met with Gov. Mike
Foster and the governor has committed to include funding for the center this
year.

The total project cost is $9.9 million.

Marino also requested $3 million in the capital outlay bill to help
construct an air cargo building to store large quantities of perishable
goods -- such as seafood and fresh flowers -- for freight carriers. He said
the project has received $480,000 for planning since 1997.

Adding the cargo facility would attract more flights and business to Metro
Airport, Marino said.


 What do you think of this story? Post your opinion in the CAA Discussion Forum
http://www.californiaaviation.org/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?conf=DCConfID8

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