The South Alabama Regional Airport Authority recently was notified that the defense contract which allows it to provide refueling services for military aircraft was renewed thro-ugh March 2015.

The contract could mean as much as $11 million in revenue for the local facility.

Jed Blackwell, airport co-manager, said the contract equates to approximately 3.3 million gallons of jet fuel to be provided for the military.

“This contract award will potentially allow our airport to have the financial stability that we have envisioned for several years,” Blackwell said. “Funds generated from these fuel sales will allow our airport to be very active in economic development and pursuing both federal and state grants to improve our airport facilities.”

Blackwell said the contract is tied directly to the 21 Airport Authority employees who work hard daily to assure that the needs of military men and women are met here in South Alabama.

“Our airport fuels approximately 60 helicopters daily, requiring often times more than 5,000 gallons of fuel per day,” Blackwell said. “It goes without saying that we take a lot of pride in our work and that we welcome these soldiers with open arms. Without the hard work of our staff this contract award would not have been possible.”

The SARA contract is with the Defense Logistics Agency Energy in Ft. Belvoir, Va.