The groundbreaking for a new terminal at the Auburn-Opelika airport will be Thursday at 1 p.m.

Owned by Auburn University, the airport functions as a training ground for aviation students in addition to serving the local area as a public use facility.

"We have over 65,000 aircraft operations every year and without this addition, we would not have the space or amenities to adequately support our mission," said Airport Director Bill Hutto. "But with this new construction, our dream will be able to become a tangible public benefit."

It should take one year for completion of the project.

Hutto said the addition should serve as an "economic tool to help advance our region."