Ground has been broken and work has begun on the $300 million aviation-driven, mixed-use development at Clayton County Airport-Tara Field in Hampton.

Developer Billy Abbate, owner of Big 5 Enterprises LLC, said he is now accepting bids for grading and installation of erosion control measures.

The 97-acre project, which will include an aircraft hanger in addition to residential and retail elements within the project, is designed to have a significant economic impact, not only on Clayton County Airport-Tara Field but on the entire region, Abbate said.

Although Clayton County Commission Chairman Eldrin Bell has been opposed to the development from the outset, Abbate added, “the project is now well under way and we’re not stopping.”

“If Clayton County wants to stop us, I suggest they get a court order in Henry County and I do not believe this would go well for the chairman,” Abbate said.

“I firmly believe the chairman’s objections to this project represent a personal vendetta against me.”

Bell could not be reached for comment.

Although owned by Clayton County, the airport lies entirely inside Henry County. Abbate has received land disturbance permits from Henry County to pursue grading of the easement.

Last month, Abbate said he met with interim Clayton County Transportation and Development Director Jeff Metarko and provided him with all the necessary documents regarding the development.

“Jeff told us at that time this was the first he had seen the documents, which I thought was interesting because Clayton County had previously approved the through-the-fence agreement regarding this project on two separate occasions,” Abbate said.

He believes the development would stop what he said is more than $200,000 per year in operational losses for the airfield.

Abbate emphasized Big 5 Enterprises has already pledged to Clayton County and FAA authorities it would build a new field base of operations for the airfield, at a cost of $3.5 million, and install sewer lines to serve the entire airport at a cost of $1.5 million.

work has begun on the $300 million aviation-driven, mixed-use development at Clayton County Airport-Tara Field in Hampton.

Developer Billy Abbate, owner of Big 5 Enterprises LLC, said he is now accepting bids for grading and installation of erosion control measures.

The 97-acre project, which will include an aircraft hanger in addition to residential and retail elements within the project, is designed to have a significant economic impact, not only on Clayton County Airport-Tara Field but on the entire region, Abbate said.

Although Clayton County Commission Chairman Eldrin Bell has been opposed to the development from the outset, Abbate added, “the project is now well under way and we’re not stopping.”

“If Clayton County wants to stop us, I suggest they get a court order in Henry County and I do not believe this would go well for the chairman,” Abbate said.

“I firmly believe the chairman’s objections to this project represent a personal vendetta against me.”

Bell could not be reached for comment.

Although owned by Clayton County, the airport lies entirely inside Henry County. Abbate has received land disturbance permits from Henry County to pursue grading of the easement.

Last month, Abbate said he met with interim Clayton County Transportation and Development Director Jeff Metarko and provided him with all the necessary documents regarding the development.

“Jeff told us at that time this was the first he had seen the documents, which I thought was interesting because Clayton County had previously approved the through-the-fence agreement regarding this project on two separate occasions,” Abbate said.

He believes the development would stop what he said is more than $200,000 per year in operational losses for the airfield.

Abbate emphasized Big 5 Enterprises has already pledged to Clayton County and FAA authorities it would build a new field base of operations for the airfield, at a cost of $3.5 million, and install sewer lines to serve the entire airport at a cost of $1.5 million.