Vaiden Field Airport has had its operating license officially reinstated by the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT), clearing the way for the Perry County Airport and Industrial Authority to begin spending $400,000 in federal appropriations on runway and taxiway improvements.
The reinstatement was announced at a planning meeting held March 24 at the airport, attended by officials from ALDOT’s Aeronautics Bureau, Airport Authority board members, and a representative from Marion Military Institute (MMI).
Restoration of Safety Standards
ALDOT Chief of Aeronautics Frank Farmer reported that all safety deficiencies that led to the license suspension last October have been corrected. Key improvements included:
- Clearing brush and trees from safety areas.
- Restoring the wind direction indicator to working condition.
ALDOT will provide a formal signed license certificate and inspection report for public posting at the airport in the coming weeks. The license had been suspended in October 2025 after an annual inspection found multiple violations, including:
- Missing security infrastructure and unauthorized vehicle activity on the runway.
- Fire damage near the fuel area and vandalism.
- Faded runway markings and vegetation encroachment on the airfield’s safety buffer.
Capital Improvements and Funding
With the license restored, the authority is turning to capital improvements funded by a $400,000 federal congressional appropriation secured through U.S. Senator Katie Britt’s office.
Priority projects, with an estimated cost of approximately $440,000, include:
- Runway and taxiway markings.
- Shoulder grading.
An engineering firm will be engaged to manage project planning and grant administration. ALDOT will provide a sample consultant advertisement and a list of qualified firms to assist the authority in the selection process.
Economic Development and Partnerships
The airport has previously been approved for a Site Evaluation for Economic Development Strategy (SEEDS) grant to assess its potential as an economic asset for Perry County. Local officials view Vaiden Field as a catalyst for business attraction, citing the Judson College Properties LLC redevelopment project in Marion (led by the cold-chain logistics firm Callan JMB) as a factor that could increase demand for aviation infrastructure.
MMI Vice President Suzanne McKee attended the meeting to discuss future possibilities. While MMI currently operates its flight training program out of Craig Field in Selma, the airport authority has discussed expanding training partnerships with nearby institutions as part of its long-term vision.
The meeting was chaired by Airport Authority Chairman Donald Bennett. Other attendees included board members Cedric Hudson, Bill Mackey, and Robert McKee, along with ALDOT representatives Jason Hare, Taylor Janey, and Noah Sowell.
