Georgia-based, full-service consulting firm Croy, in partnership with the Griffin-Spalding Airport Authority and the Griffin-Spalding County Area Regional Airport Authority, has broken ground on the Replacement Griffin-Spalding County Airport in the City of Griffin, Ga. This will be the first new airport constructed in Georgia since 2008—a major milestone for regional mobility and economic growth. The project has completed extensive planning, coordination, and environmental review, which have culminated in this historic groundbreaking.

Croy has been working with the Authority since 2018 as the prime consultant on the development of this replacement facility.

“We are honored to be a part of this transformative project that will bring future economic development to the region,” said Croy’s CEO Gregory D. Teague, PE. “This airport is a perfect example of how strong internal and external collaboration brings a project of this scale from concept to construction.”

More than 50 attendees gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony, including special guest speakers U.S. Department of Transportation Under Secretary Ryan McCormack, Congressman Brian Jack, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, and Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) Commissioner Russell McMurry.  Local leaders including Spalding County Commission Chairman Clay Davis, City of Griffin Mayor Doug Hollberg, and Griffin-Spalding Airport Authority Chair Dr. Randall Peters spoke to the benefits that the new airport will bring to the region.

“Everyone in this community knows just how important this [project] is to help elicit business to come and make sure Griffin and Spalding continue to be one of the epicenters of growth in Georgia,” said Congressman Jack.

The airport is supported by federal, state, and local funding, including support from the City of Griffin and Spalding County. The project will address long-standing aviation capacity needs in the region and expand access for communities across the Griffin-Spalding County region.

Under Secretary McCormack emphasized the long-term significance of the investment. “Today’s groundbreaking is a major milestone right here in Griffin. We’re taking a new runway with a parallel taxiway, a new parking area, and a new terminal. That’s real growth with lots of opportunity,” he said. “At US DOT, we’re proud to support your efforts. I know it’s literally been decades in the making, and you should all be proud of what you accomplished. We’re proud to be part of this unique partnership.”

Once complete, the replacement airport will serve approximately 158,000 Georgians in the region along the I-75 corridor between Atlanta and Macon.

“I would like to express my personal appreciation, and I’m certain I speak for the entire Griffin-Spalding Airport Authority, for the exceptional work by the Croy team in helping bring this groundbreaking to fruition,” said Dr. Peters. “I sincerely believe that our goals of presenting the progress of the project to the community and highlighting the region’s changing needs to our state and federal leadership were accomplished. I look forward to our continued partnership and the final completion of this monumental project.”