Martin County pins AWOS clearing and site‑preparation application; state grants will cover most costs

Martin County Commissioners on Aug. 8 authorized the County Manager to accept assurances and progress the grant application for clearing and site preparation for an Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) at the Martin County Airport.

County Manager David Bone said Division of Aviation staff completed their review of the county’s request for aid and approved moving to the next stage. The AWOS project will clear roughly 20 acres of upland and about 4 acres of wetland-clearing-without-ground-disturbance to prepare a site and improve weather reporting for pilots and local media outlets.

Total project cost was estimated at $94,096; 90% is expected from the State Block Grant/NPE program and 10% from State Aid to Airports given the county’s Tier 1 status. Bone said no local match was required. The board voted unanimously to authorize the county manager to “pin” the grant application in the online grant management system and execute related assurances.

Officials said an AWOS would increase safety for airport users and provide more accurate local weather data to television and online sources.