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Regional name for airport sought
What?s in a name? Just when it appeared the Panama City-Bay County International Airport was on course for construction at its new location north of County 388, another challenge unexpectedly appeared last week: What to call it.
Following Thursday morning?s groundbreaking ceremony, prominent Bay County businessman Charles Hilton said he and a number of other area business leaders want the Airport Authority to rename the new $330 million airport to reflect its projected regional impact.
?Panama City and Bay County (officials) need to understand that the only thing that will help us succeed is for everyone in the region to help pull the wagon,? Hilton said. He added that he has been a strong supporter of the new airport but would like to see a name that symbolizes the entire Panhandle service area.
Other officials involved in the decade-long campaign to move the airport from Panama City to its new 4,000-acre site north of West Bay have cited the economic benefit it will have, not only on Bay County, but on other localities such as Holmes, Washington, Jackson and Walton counties. Gulf Power District Manager Ted Spangenberg said Thursday the new, larger airport will create new jobs and growth throughout the five-county area, not just in Bay County.
Hilton did not suggest a new name for the airport but encouraged the Airport Authority and other officials to consider the notion.
Asked about the issue, Airport Director Randy Curtis said he was aware of Hilton?s interest in a name change but said nothing formal had been put on the authority?s agenda............
http://www.newsherald.com/headlines/article.display.php?a=4248
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