The Jackson Municipal Airport Authority (JMAA) is committed to ensuring that the citizens of Jackson, surrounding communities, and visitors using the State’s busiest airport, Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport (JAN) are afforded the level of service and comfort they deserve. Over the past year, the JMAA has engaged in an aggressive effort to secure much-needed funding to address aging infrastructure in partnership with key legislators.
Replacing critical customer-facing or experience-contributing equipment has taken priority, such as decades-old elevators, escalators, and the airport terminal HVAC systems. These crucial projects are made possible through federal grants, Passenger Facility Charges (PFCs), and JMAA funds.
Replacement of Elevators and Escalators
After a public procurement process that complied with federal regulations, JMAA selected Mississippi-based Paul Jackson & Son, Inc. as the project contractor. Detailed preconstruction site inspections and equipment orders have occurred. Barring no manufacturer delays, equipment will arrive on-site in late June or early July.
Demolition and installation will be phased, ensuring access and a continuous flow for travelers, workers, and visitors throughout various terminal areas. Directional signage will be implemented to assist with navigation during construction. The project cost is $5,378,474, primarily funded by a federal competitive grant of $5,109,550 received through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Airport Terminal and Tower Project Program (BIL-ATP) and JMAA funds of $268,924.
HVAC System Upgrades
Johnson Controls was selected as the contractor for the HVAC project. Upgrades to JAN’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system began in October 2024, and Phase I is projected to be completed in November 2025. The Phase I upgrades provide much-needed replacements of essential equipment to provide a comfortable environment throughout the JAN terminal. Phase I will replace the outdated and failing chillers.
The HVAC project Phase I cost is $9,539,876 and is funded by JMAA funds of $5,414,626, a federal BIL-ATP grant of $2,890,450, a federal congressional allocation of $810,000, and Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) funds of $424,800.
Phase II of the HVAC Project requires replacing outdated boilers, air handlers, and control panels, which, based on 2024 bid prices, will cost $6,750,000. JMAA is aggressively pursuing additional federal dollars and has invited the State to participate in these critical infrastructure projects through eligible funding avenues. Funding for Phase II is currently not secured.
JMAA has hosted several State legislators on behind-the-scenes tours to get first-hand knowledge of the airport’s critical infrastructure needs. States nationwide participate in capital improvement projects with municipal airports for major capital projects through funding vehicles, as airports are well-documented as vital economic engines in regions they serve.
JMAA remains dedicated to obtaining the funding needed for continued infrastructure improvements at Mississippi’s busiest airport system, which serves nearly six (6) out of every ten (10) travelers arriving and departing all of the State’s airports.
Over the past few years, JAN passenger activity has surpassed pre-COVID numbers by over 20%. We appreciate the support of our travelers’ hundreds of airport workers, and partners support as they may experience inconveniences while traveling through the terminal. JMAA will forge ahead, exploring multiple avenues for funding to ensure we can replace essential equipment to deliver a facility and experience the citizens, visitors, and others of Central Mississippi deserve when using JAN as their local airport.
JMAA is proud to have an economic impact on the State of Mississippi of nearly $2 billion annually, stimulating hundreds of jobs for Mississippians in various careers: airport, airline, rental car, concessions, safety and security (FAA, TSA, police, fire/rescue), military (Air National Guard, Army National Guard), emergency services (helicopter and fixed-wing rescue aircraft), among others. Both Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International (JAN) and Hawkins Field (HKS) serve a wide area of the State, especially in the Capital region of Jackson (Hinds, Rankin, Madison), also from Vicksburg to Meridian, and from the Delta region to Laurel / Hattiesburg and beyond.
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ABOUT JMAA
The Jackson Municipal Airport Authority (JMAA) operates two airports: Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport (JAN) and Hawkins Field Airport (HKS). JAN is the busiest airport in Mississippi, situated in the Central part of the state and serving the Capital region of Jackson with over 3,000 acres of property. JAN serves several of the world’s busiest global hubs and is home to the Mississippi Air National Guard 172nd Airlift Wing. HKS is a general aviation airport that houses two emergency response medical air transporters and the Civil Air Patrol. It is also home to the Mississippi Army National Guard 185th Aviation Brigade. The Authority provides service to nearly 1.29 million passengers per year.