Funds Aren't Available For Runway Expansion

The FAA has told the Portage County, OH Airport Authority to work on a more realistic financial and business plan before trying to secure funds for a runway expansion project, and the $1.4 million grant they'd applied for just isn't available this year.

Dean Hugebeck, an airport authority member, attended a recent meeting with the FAA in Columbus where the agency said the local airport should concentrate on ending "through the fence" operations.

Hugebeck said the FAA "said definitively that the grant we applied for this year was not available."

"They basically said, based on the current (airport) master plan and the materials received, they felt it was unlikely they would allocate money," he said.

The authority was seeking funds for county land acquisition for extending the runway from 3,500 to 5,000 feet. It intended to use the land as the local match for FAA grants, according to Ohio's Record Courier.

The grant request sparked two levels of opposition to the expansion at the airport. Those adamantly opposed to the expansion fear a longer runway will increase air traffic and noise over their homes. Others say they want a lot more information than they're getting.

Of special concern is the financial future of the airport authority, which already owes $419,000 to the county.

According to Hugebeck, the FAA representatives felt "encouraged" that the local board "had made some positive steps," but still needed to develop a financial business plan before being considered for grants.

Commissioners have been presented with petitions signed by 941 people, 500 of whom are from outside the airport's neighborhood.

"They're all concerned about the money issue and concerned you might give this land when there's no firm financial plan," said Nancy Vines, who presented the petitions.

FMI: www.portagecountyairport.com, www.faa.gov