CONSTRUCTION AT PERRYVILLE AIRPORT STARTS

PERRYVILLE -- Construction began last week on a $2.5 million expansion to the Perryville airport.

The expansion will add 1,500 feet to the airport's 5,500-foot runway. Also a part of the project is a water line to the airport and two nearby industries, said Perryville City Administrator Craig Lindsley.

Crews began work on the water lines last week, Lindsley said, add~ing that the actual cost of the runway has not been finalized.

"The idea behind the runway is that we'll bid it in October and work as long as the weather will allow," he said. "We hope to have it completed in the spring of 1992."

The project will expand the runway from 5,500 to 7,000 feet.

The water lines, which will run from the north edge of the city limits to the airport, will likely be finished by Jan. 1, he said.

In September, the city received a $1.3 million grant from the Economic Development Administration to partly fund the expansion.

The expansion will help meet the needs of the industries located in the area and will hopefully attract new businesses, the administrator said. Two of the industries already located nearby are Saberliner Corp. and Gilster Mary-Lee Corp.

The project will also be financed with a $736,000 grant from the Missouri Department of Economic Development, and $428,741 in city funds.