Fri, Jul 01, 2005
Life After BRAC
Rickenbacker International Airport will get federal money to
renovate airplane hangars and make other improvements to lure
business to the former military base, Secretary of Transportation
Norman Mineta announced during a visit to the airport
Friday.
The airport is one of several Mineta said would share in funds
made available through a program that helps make improvements to
former military facilities. According to Mineta, Rickenbacker will
receive grants from the Department of Transportation's Military
Airport Program for the next three years.
The airport will use the grant to renovate three airport hangars
into space more appealing to possible tenants. The work includes
new and enhanced plumbing, heating, wiring and insulation. This
funding will also help build a 48,000 square foot multi-use
warehouse that would allow smaller companies to get "in on the
action" at Rickenbacker without having to rent an entire hangar,
Mineta said.
"Transportation investments at
Rickenbacker are coming together to create a very attractive home
for business in central Ohio and creating economic prosperity for
this region," Mineta said. Rickenbacker currently employs more than
6,500 Ohio residents and is responsible for more than $500 million
in economic activity.
"This airfield has come a long way since 1980 when the Air Force
pulled out," Mineta said. "Rickenbacker Airport is proof-positive
that there is life after base closings."
During his visit to Columbus, Mineta also announced three
airports in addition to Rickenbacker that were selected to
participate in the program starting this year; Williams Gateway
Airport in Mesa, Cecil Field in Jacksonville, and Guam
International Airport in Agana, Guam.
This year $34 million will be available through the Military
Airport Program to be shared between the four new airports added to
the list and the eleven others already participating in the
program.
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