The sky above the Armidale region might be a little quieter at the moment but that hasn't stopped construction at the Armidale Regional Airport precinct soaring ahead with two multi-million dollar projects well underway.
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The NSW Government funded $6.5 million Armidale Regional Business Park broke ground in February and work has been progressing well with minimal impact from the Coronavirus pandemic.
Contractors have laid over 60 per cent of essential underground services including sewer and stormwater lines.
Eighty per cent of the roadway network has been levelled ready for the first layers of road base.
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Armidale Regional Councillor Peter Bailey said the business park development marked a turning point in our region to stimulate growth and employment.
"Phase 1 of the business park includes 24 lots and so far there has been very encouraging interest in the lots with contract negotiations continuing on the service centre lot," Cr Bailey said.
"Council is currently developing a marketing strategy with the commercial agents to drive sales and encourage businesses to relocate or move to the Armidale region.
"The challenging economic climate facing Australia makes this project even more of a priority to ensure we maximise opportunities for investment in the region.
"With the assistance of the NSW Government this project not only creates employment opportunities during construction but will stimulate growth and further employment," he said.
Investment is also continuing airside at the airport with progress on the $4 million apron extension moving ahead rapidly.
The project, jointly funded by the state government and the council will provide additional support for increased passenger numbers and provision for larger aircraft expected in the near future.
Work on the apron is expected to be completed by the end of May.
Cr Andrew Murat said the airport masterplan was a key pillar of council's economic growth plans for the region.
"A thriving state-of-the-art airport precinct is absolutely vital in positioning our region to grasp every opportunity to stimulate our economy," Cr Murat said.
"We have come so far with implementing and delivering our Airport Masterplan over the last five years, we can't afford to take our foot off the pedal and we won't.
"These are tough times at the moment but we couldn't be better placed with million of dollars already invested and more on the way."
