HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) – On Monday, the City of Hattiesburg announced a $1.5 million grant from MDOT to improve the runway situation at Bobby Chain Airport.

A taxiway is a path that allows aircraft to move between different areas of the airport.

The grant will be used to restore the existing World War II runway and build a new one. The new runway will provide access to an area for the construction of future hangars.

The city hopes this development will help make room for larger aircraft and stimulate private investment in the airport.

“The Bobby Chain Airport serves the community in many ways,” said Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker. “We have private planes and private hangars there. It has been the site of air shows, politicians and government officials coming to town, and disaster relief.”

It’s a great partnership with Camp Shelby and the money for this new runway will allow us to potentially build up to 10 new hangars, which could bring further private investment to the facility.”

The Hattiesburg City Council will approve the grant at its meeting Tuesday evening.

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