“The biggest news right now is that we did receive the grant from the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) for their 90 percent share. Once we received the grant we were able to execute the construction contract along with a change order to make the total construction price fit the funding that we’re getting. Now, we’ve issued a notice to proceed for the contractor to start ordering all of the materials needed. At this point, we’re tentatively scheduled to start construction by Oct. 19,” said John Baer, a consultant with Woolpert, the engineering firm enlisted by the local aviation board.

Boyd & Son Construction of Washington, Indiana, was the low bidder for the first phase of an airport construction effort that will eventually result in a new runway designed at 4,201 feet long by 75 feet wide. The first phase includes grading and drainage work for the western half of the project at a cost of $571,802.25. Of that, $514,622 is funding from the FAA. The state contributed $28,590. Local funding of $28,590 completes funding requirements for Phase I.

Construction will continue in 2016 at an estimated cost of $3.4 million and 2017 at an estimated cost of $2.5 million. All told, the airport improvements are expected to total $9.2 million, according to the capital improvement plan drafted by Woolpert.

Airport manager John Marlatt reported issues with runway lighting and the public telephone at the facility have been addressed. He also said a recent open house at the airport was well attended.

“Everything’s looking pretty good,” he said, adding that recent repairs to linear cracks in the runway appear to be holding up.

Local elected and economic development officials have stated that modernizing the airport is needed to meet the needs of existing Henry County businesses and to help attract new businesses to the community.