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NATCHEZ — The Natchez-Adams County Airport director told the Board of Supervisors Monday that AirMed Air Ambulance Service is anxious to lease hangar space at the airport.

Richard Nelson, airport director, said he was at the meeting to seek clarity about operating procedures since the supervisors recently changed the airport’s commission from a governing board to an advisory board.

“AirMed wants to bring a bird and base it at the airport,” Nelson said. “It would be very beneficial to the airport because we would get the fuel sales off of it. The question I have is they are wanting to take over the remainder of the community hangar. We probably get $210 a month in revenue from the community hangar.”

Nelson said the airport is planning to build new hangars, which should go out to bid soon. However, the only hangar space available now is the community hangar, where pilots pay to temporarily store airplanes.

He said AirMed will begin to operate from Jackson to New Orleans beginning June 11.

“They are actually trying to get something really, really quickly so they have a place to put a bird if they need it,” Nelson said.

By “bird,” Adams County Administrator Mitzy Conn said Nelson refers to a helicopter.

“AirMed would lease half the building right now,” Nelson said.

Supervisors advised Nelson to use his current lease agreement and authorized him to negotiate a fair market price for the hangar space. Conn and Slover will give the final OK to the lease.

Supervisors also gave the OK for Conn and Slover to sign a grant agreement, Nelson said, is urgent in order to seek funds to complete a runway safety project.

“We got written up for it on the last FAA inspection, and if I do not get this grant this year, it could end up costing the airport $30,000,” he said.

Lastly, the supervisors voted to take under advisement two bids for fuel suppliers at the airport.