Emergency aerial transport is now closer than ever before for people in Habersham and surrounding counties. AirLife Georgia, a subsididary of Air Methods Corporation, has established a new base station at the Habersham County Airport.
The air ambulance service opened its new station on July 25 inside the old terminal building at the airport in Baldwin. The building was renovated to provide living quarters and accommodations for a staff of three. An air medical transport helicopter is housed in one of the hangars.
The facility will serve as AirLife Georgia’s base station to serve Northeast Georgia, according to a news release from the county.
“…AirLife Georgia’s new base station at the Habersham County Airport will bring a higher level of emergency response to the citizen and Habersham County and Northeast Georgia.”
Lease terms and impact
Air Methods Corp. will lease the building for at least the next five years. According to the lease agreement, Air Methods will pay Habersham County $1,200 per month to rent the old terminal building for five years. The company has an option to renew the contract at a renogiatiated market rental rate for up to six years after that.
“We are very excited that AirLife Georgia’s new base station at the Habersham County Airport will bring a higher level of emergency response to the citizen and Habersham County and Northeast Georgia,” says Habersham County Manager Phil Sutton. “AirLife Georgia’s air ambulance will provide 24/7/365 emergency medical coverage and will help support the ground based emergency response teams throughout Northeast Georgia.”
Sutton says three parties were interested in leasing the old terminal building. The County formally requested letters of interest from them and the Airport and County Commissions determined that the proposal from Air Methods Corp. was the best proposal.
The County signed the lease agreement with Air Methods after the new Habersham County airport terminal was completed.
The airport has recently undergone millions of dollars in upgrades to accommodate larger aircraft and attract new industry.
