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Runway Funding May Shake Loose

Information reprinted with permission of the Courier Times, local newspaper New Castle, Indiana www.thecouriertimes.com

Runway funding may shake loose

Posted: Tuesday, July 28, 2015 11:59 pm

An effort to build a new runway at the New Castle-Henry County Municipal Airport appears to be making progress.

John Baer, a consultant with Woolpert, an engineering and design firm employed by the Henry County Board of Aviation Commissioners, reported this week that indications are funding for the project is in the works.

 

"I spoke to Melanie Myers (FAA) and Marty Blake (INDOT). They both informed me that there's still seven weeks left to issue grants so they're waiting to see if any extra money shakes loose from other projects that can be allocated toward your runway project. They said it's too hard to tell at this point if that's going to happen or not because it's all based on whether bids come in higher or lower than expected for other projects. So, we just have to wait and see what happens, essentially, and hope for the best at this point," Baer wrote in an email to the board. He was unable to attend the group's monthly meeting.

The local aviation board has applied to the Federal Aviation Administration for a $1.4 million grant to help fund construction of a new 5,000 runway needed to accommodate small jets and large propeller-powered aircraft. Preliminary grading and drainage work at the facility located on County Road 400 South, east of Ind. 103, is expected to begin this fall.

A copy of a letter of support for the project from U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly was shared with board members. The original, sent to the Federal Aviation Administration, asks the FAA to "grant every consideration" to the request for funding.

The improvements to the local airport are important for economic development efforts, local leaders have said.

In other news, it was reported two bids were received to repair cracks in the existing runway. Board president Maurie Goodwin noted there was "a big difference" in the prices submitted.

A-V Striping & Seal Coating Co. of Pendleton submitted a price of $4,430 and AB Sealcoating of New Castle bid $9,750. The board unanimously voted to go with the lower bid.