G-RAMP needs outside funds: Candidates
he three candidates for Warner Robins mayor each say they will focus their attention on finding private funding to complete the Georgia-Robins Aerospace Maintenance Partnership project, or G-RAMP. Cost estimates have bounced between $40 million and $70 million to complete G-RAMP
Thus far, the city of Warner Robins is far short of assembling the funds necessary to build the additional hangars to the Robins Air Force Base airfield.
“It’s too expensive for the city,” said Clifford Holmes, a Warner Robins city councilman who also is running for mayor. “This has to be a partnership.”
This year, the city and the Middle Georgia Regional Commission applied for a grant from President Obama’s economic stimulus plan to jump-start the project. That application was denied because G-RAMP was not “shovel ready,” said Laura Mathis of the Middle Georgia Regional Commission.
“Obviously, G-RAMP is not at that stage,” Mathis said.
Now the proposed G-RAMP land is undergoing an environmental assessment to determine if the area is suitable for further development. When the assessment is complete, the city and the commission plan to apply for a $3 million grant from the federal Economic Development Agency, with an additional $3 million in matching funds from the state of Georgia.
Currently, there are no outstanding grant applications for either federal or state funding. Even if the Economic Development Agency approves the grant, as much as $64 million in additional funds would be necessary to complete G-RAMP. “I don’t think Warner Robins should take the butt end of all of this,” mayoral candidate Chuck Shaheen said.
Mayoral candidate Chuck Chalk urges the city to “look at bringing in as many people, interested parties, both government and corporate.”
Robins Air Force Base officials repeatedly have told the city of Warner Robins no Department of Defense funds will support the project.
“G-RAMP really needs to get its head start from the city,” said Maj. Gen. Polly Peyer, commanding general of the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, in an interview last month. “It’s city land, it will be city-developed with city funding.”
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