A new construction project at Cullman Regional Airport cleared a big administrative hurdle this week, after the Cullman City Council signed off on $1 million in grant funds to support it.

At its Nov. 4 regular meeting, the council unanimously agreed to accept a $1 million grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission to fund a new hangar that, when finished next year, will house a new business tenant while also serving as a Wallace State Community College educational center for aviation and drone technology.

A groundbreaking ceremony at the airport was held for the newly announced project in August. At this week’s meeting, airport manager Ben Harrison said the council’s move opens the way for work at the site soon to begin in earnest.

“Now that [the grant is] here, we can get all the paperwork together and get it out to bid soon,” said Harrison, while thanking both city and county leaders — who share equally in overseeing the airport’s funding and its board of directors — for cooperating to bring the funds home.

“We appreciate the support. We’ve got a good airport board. We’ve got a good council. We have a good [county] commission. It’s all of us together, so you all are in it 50-50,” he said. “It’s a good teamwork opportunity for all of us, as one united Cullman County, to make it come together.”

In addition to its educational function, the 10,000 square-foot hangar will serve as the Cullman-based home for Martin Aviation, a young regional business that specializes in on-site aircraft maintenance. Harrison projected the facility could be ready for use by summer of 2025.

In other business at its regular meeting, the council:

— Approved a request from Cullman Parks, Recreation and Sports Tourism special events director Kelly Pulliam to hold this year’s Christkindlmarkt outdoor holiday shopping event at Depot Park, running from Thursday, Nov. 21 through Monday, Dec. 23.

— Approved a separate request from Pulliam to hold this year’s city-sponsored Christmas parade at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22, followed at 7:30 p.m. by the city’s annual tree lighting ceremony at Depot Park.

— The next regular meeting of the Cullman City Council will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 18, in the public auditorium at Cullman City Hall.