[MONTGOMERY, Ala.] – Another exciting project is in the works at Montgomery Regional Airport (MGM). The airport now has the first electrical vault of its kind in the nation. Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC) is the airport’s engineer and also served as the electrical engineer on this trailblazing project.
This secure, modern facility houses all the electrical equipment that powers the airfield. MGM’s original airfield electrical system was built several years ago and had reached the end of its useful life. As the system aged, it became difficult to operate and maintain. Due to the conditions, GMC worked with the airport to find an effective and innovative solution.
The team designed and developed a complete replacement of the airfield electrical system, including a new standalone vault, new copper loop, upgraded airfield signage and new edge lighting. The project was then planned in two phases. Phase I, which is now complete, consisted of the construction and installation of the vault. Phase II, which includes the airfield electrical upgrades, is scheduled to begin in early 2026.
Phase I of the project was supported by Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding and constructed the United States’ first Prefabricated Airfield Lighting Field Electrical Center (ALFEC) at MGM. The ALFEC, which has been installed in the Bahamas and Canada, is a series of custom and semi-standard pre-engineered, factory-assembled, airfield lighting electrical buildings (vaults) that contain all the necessary equipment for the complete operation of an airfield lighting system in one self-contained unit. The ALFEC contains all electrical power, constant current regulators, airfield lighting control and auxiliary equipment preinstalled, which greatly reduces the time and cost of on-site installation as well as system switchover. It also significantly reduces construction time and minimizes disruption to airport operations.
“This project represents a major step forward for Montgomery Regional Airport,” said Loyd Jenkins, Interim Executive Director of Montgomery Regional Airport. “Modernizing our airfield electrical infrastructure with first-of-its-kind technology not only strengthens the reliability and safety of our operations but also positions MGM for long-term growth. We’re proud to partner with Goodwyn Mills Cawood on a solution that reflects our commitment to innovation, efficiency, and minimizing operational disruption for our airlines and passengers.”
This groundbreaking project demonstrates MGM’s commitment to redefining the travel experience by combining innovation, efficiency, and safety. GMC is proud to be a part of the project, serving as the airport’s engineer and providing electrical engineering services for the project. In addition to this exciting project, 2026 marks the 20th year of GMC providing aviation services to airports of all types, from general aviation to commercial service across the Southeast.
About Goodwyn Mills Cawood
Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC) is one of the largest architecture and engineering firms in the Southeast. Whether designing schools, parks, hospitals and other commercial developments, or providing clean water, safe streets and restoring resilient environments, GMC takes great pride in serving our communities through the transformative work we do. Every project is guided by the foundational concept that communities are built by people, not companies, and we strive to serve our communities with quality, integrity, creativity and care. One of the Southeast’s most comprehensive multi-disciplined firms, GMC is equipped to provide all the services associated with architecture; interior design; civil engineering; environmental services; landscape architecture; planning; transportation engineering; geotechnical engineering; mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering; surveying; and disaster recovery. www.gmcnetwork.com
