Baer said a local match of $28,587.41 will be added to $28,587.84 in state funding and $514,573 in Federal Aviation Administration funding for a total of $571,748.25 that will soon be available to begin grading and drainage work on the western half of an area where a new 5,000-foot runway will eventually be constructed. The FAA funds aren’t in hand yet, but Baer said the agency has verbally pledged that amount towards the Henry County project, which has been in the works for the better part of the last decade.

“The next steps include awarding a construction contract. My goal is to start construction, at least the grading and drainage, on the west half of the new runway no later than the end of September,” Baer said. “We’re going to be moving approximately 75,000 yards of dirt this year, so it’s a pretty substantial start.”

Baer said there are no guarantees, but the project has tentatively been earmarked by the FAA for an additional $1.5 million in 2016.

“Assuming we get that amount, or somewhere in that ballpark, that should allow us to finish the grading and drainage on the east half and then, hopefully, start putting some pavement down for the new runway,” Baer said.

There are many variables involved, but Baer said in a best-case scenario the new runway could be operational as soon as 2018; in a worst-case scenario 2020 is a possibility, he said.

The process involved with the planned airport project has, by necessity, been done in bits and pieces as funding became available. The board’s patience and persistence is finally paying off, according to BOAC board member Brad Crowe.

“We kept building what we could afford at the time in order to keep building, so when these pots of money become available, they’re now looking to us first because we have our accounts in order and our match ready,” Crowe said.

Baer presented the board with a draft of a construction contract for their review. After it’s been approved at the local level grading and drainage work can begin, he said.

The longer runway is needed to accommodate small jets and large propeller-powered aircraft, something local officials have said is an important tool for economic development.

In other news from the BOAC, airport manager John Marlatt reported repairs to runway lights are almost complete. Also, cracks in the facility’s only runway are now sealed.

“We’re in good shape, the best shape we’ve been in for quite awhile,” Marlatt said about the airport, which is located on County Road 400 South, east of Ind. 109.

Marlatt also reminded the board about a planned open house and fundraiser scheduled for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 12 at the airport. The local Kiwanis club will offer a hamburger or hotdog lunch for $5 and plane rides will be available at a cost of $20 for adults and $15 for children. The event is open to the public and proceeds will benefit New Castle’s Miracle League, which provides persons with a disability the opportunity to play baseball.