, but that’s about all,” said District 2 Supervisor Michael Mayfield. “I’m willing to explore the idea because there’s going to be quite a bit of substantial business going on out there.”

Jimmy Heidel, director of the Warren County Economic Development Foundation and the Warren County Port Commission, and city representatives returned last week from Washington, D.C., where they say they received positive response about the new airport idea from congressional delegates and the Federal Aviation Administration.

Heidel said the FAA could fund 90 percent of the project and that state funds could be tapped for the remaining 10 percent if political support can be garnered from state and Congress.

“We’ve still got a lot of sitting down with everyone involved before anything is done,” Heidel said. “It’s an idea, but it’s going to take some looking at and identifying how it’s going to be paid for first.”

Unlike VTR, which is primarily used by private passenger planes, the proposed facility at Ceres would be mostly for freight to industries located there. The proposed airport would also have a larger runway and higher capacity than the municipal airport or VTR.

Officials say they are looking at a 7,000- to 10,000-foot runway that would compete with the Jackson International Airport with a 8,500-foot runway. The municipal airport and VTR each have 5,000-foot runways.

“I can see in the long-term, 10 years from now, especially with Nissan affiliates and other industries at Ceres that it seems like a good idea,” said South Ward Alderman Beauman.

He said the idea of building an airport at Ceres began during an informal discussion among city officials over the fate of the municipal airport following the Supreme Court decision. He said he suggested building a new airport to replace the municipal airport, and the idea grew from there.

He added that plans to build a third airport are a long way off, but the first step is funding a feasibility study.

Warren County District 1 Supervisor David McDonald said the county has not been approached about funding a feasibility study, but has been asked to donate 200 acres of land at Ceres for the construction of an airport. He said the land at Ceres is worth about $15,000 per acre making it a $3 million donation.

“I’d rather see us spend the money to expand the harbor than put the money out there right now,” McDonald said.

Hinds County Supervisor Doug Anderson, board president, said officials there have not discussed the proposed airport yet, but have been contacted by Vicksburg officials. He said that there is some concern about how a facility at Ceres would fit in with existing airports in Hinds County.

“There are some board members who are concerned about the effect it could have on the John Bell Williams Airport near Raymond,” Anderson said.

Today, Vicksburg Municipal mainly serves industries located on U.S. 61 South, including Cappaert Manufactured Housing, PolyVulc Inc., and LeTourneau, all litigants in the suit against the city. City officials had asked the group to fund the Neel-Schaffer study of the airport to determine what is needed to keep the 55-year-old facility going, but after getting the report, officials said too much work is needed for the city to fund the improvements.

City officials say they will also continue to support the regional airport in Mound, regardless of what happens to the municipal airport.

“We have a legal obligation, and it was a decision that was made before I was here and we’re going to honor it,” Leyens said.

Vicksburg discontinued funding of VTR from the time the first lawsuit was filed until the authority was formed in 1999. The Supreme Court has since ruled the airport authority was not needed, and the city board has voted to dissolve the panel that acted as a buffer funneling funds to the airport.

Warren County, although never a part of the litigation, also held funding to VTR for a time, but resumed funding after forming a separate authority. Board President Richard George said the county will keep its authority despite the court’s ruling.

“I think that any decision that’s going to be made regarding air commerce in this community needs to involve the airport authority,” George said.

The city and county contribute about $41,000 annually each to the operation of VTR and for capital improvements. Since VTR opened, the Corps of Engineers transferred its flight operations there, and at least two businesses operate at the new airport. It is managed by a five-member board whose members are appointed one each by the owners with the fifth slot rotating.