Monticello Airport Chosen “Airport of the Year” Again
October 28th, 2011 by Mandy Moss
The Arkansas Airport Operator’s Association has announced that Monticello’s Ellis Field has been chosen as the 2011 Arkansas Airport of the Year.
The Monticello Airport was also selected as Airport of the Year in 2008. Our Airport is the only “repeat winner” of this award in over 20 years.
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The State of Arkansas Department of Aeronautics stated many reasons Ellis Field was chosen for Airport of the Year. Facility expansion to meet Southeast Arkansas’s demands played a large role in winning the award. Four projects have been started at the airport over the past six months alone. Grants for these projects have been used to help fund the construction of a city-owned hanger and office complex and the grant money will help not only retain current business, but also aid the airport’s growth and increase revenue due to an increase in air traffic. There has currently been $971,374.31 of grant money put towards the betterment of the airport.
Other key elements in Monticello’s airport being selected were said to be “excellent communication between airport management, FAA, state, city and county officials, and aviation users.” Also, Ellis Field was stated to have excellent management and airport operation by the city of Monticello.
Airport Commission chairman Benji Ryburn told MonticelloLive, “This award is a great honor for our airport and our community.” Ryburn also complimented the forward thinking, progressive attitude that helped make improvements possible, which lead to this recognition.
Monticello’s Airport began in 1947, and has remained in the same location, expanding, since that time.
MonticelloLive would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Ellis Field and its staff on a job well done.
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Monticello has probably the busiest as well as nicest airport of it’s size in the state and it is a very popular refueling site for planes flying through the area. The commission, under the leadership of Ryburn, is to be commended for giving us an airport we can be proud of and helps “put Monticello on the map” so to speak.
Good job Benji.
it is very nice and mr james does a great job also. if you have noe been to the airport you should go and see what they have done. first class
Thanks Benji for the MANY hour of hard work you do for our commuinty.
why is bseji name come up always is he the big bos of monticello or is it he has all the monney in town
Well outsider it may be because he knows how to spell.
Having an up to day and modern airport is essential for the growth of any community. Ellis Field has had a tremendous impact on Monticello becoming the “hub” of this entire region. Compare the growth of Monticello and sustanence of our property values to that of surrounding towns in this part of the country. Yes, we are fortunate to have folks like James Barnett (airport mgr), Mr. Ryburn and the entire staff of airport commissioners who work hard to make our airport what it is. Even if you don’t fly, it benefits the entire community….