TIFTON, Ga. — Air Evac EMS, a for-profit emergency medical service provider, plans to establish a permanent business in Tift County. 

The business applied to the Tift County Board of Commissioners to lease space in Fire/Rescue Station 51 until their permanent facility is constructed.

This new business is expected to bring approximately 15 jobs to Tift County. The application was approved unanimously.

The ambulance billing rate increase to $12 per mile was approved unanimously.

The fees had not been increased since 2011. The increase was to ensure that rates are comparable to industry standards, matching the Medicare Allowable Rate and the EMS national fee average.

The Emergency Management Performance Grant application was approved unanimously.

If the application is granted, the funds will be used to fund the Everbridge Notifications System and other emergency management expenses.

The commissioners also voted unanimously to accept the low bid made by Campbell Construction to replace the roof of the Behavioral Health Building on Tifton Eldorado Road.