The City of Griffin, Georgia has had a small municipal airport for many years. When they needed to explore the expansion of the current airport location, they turned to their in-house GIS department. GIS was able to conduct a full blown Urban and Regional Planning investigation for the City. By applying GIS techniques in conjunction with the requirements of the FAA to the present site, GIS was able to visually display to the City Commissioners and public the inadequacies of the current location. Additionally, GIS was able to take the perimeters required by FAA and search within Spalding County to locate a viable alternative potential Airport site.
I have watched this City scenario unfold from its beginnings over the last four years. The application of GIS has enabled this small town of 23,643 to visualize the economic, social and environmental impacts of enlarging an existing facility without making expensive mistakes. They are using GIS to see the potentials and pitfalls of moving the airport within the county boundaries. It has been a rewarding experience to speak with Jeff Smith in GIS and to see their products come alive as viable living “documents” used in the City decisions. I look forward to learning solid skills which can be used toward the improving the quality of life and economic standing of small communities.
Here are a couple of maps GIS prepared for the September, 2011 public meeting. (These came from a pdf document which did not allow a copy. Pictures were created with screenshots through paint).
Source: http://www.spaldingcounty.com/pdf/PHOH_Handout_Package_9-16-2011.pdf (Retrieved May 15, 2012). Census Data: U.S. Census Bureau: State and County QuickFacts.
GIS Application (Government)> industry (Urban and Regional Planning> Issue (Airport- keep or move).
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| Proposed Alternative location |
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Existing Airport
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