The Jan. 15 meeting of the Carroll County Airport Commission started the new year off on a positive note as commissioners heard from someone else considering building a new hangar.
In the past few months, the airport has issued ground leases for two large new hangars, and last week an Illinois resident joined the meeting by Zoom to discuss the possibility of another. He said he plans to retire within a year and relocate to this area. He is considering a hangar at least 60 feet square, and perhaps as large as 80 feet square. He said he has flown into this airport.
Commissioner Dave Teigen promised to send him information on a variety of options. A ground lease at the airport currently costs about $5 per square foot. The lease holder erects a building at his own cost, and ownership of that building reverts to the airport after a period of 30 to 40 years.
In his monthly Manager’s Report, Michael Pfeifer mentioned some other good news for the airport. Pfeifer had received an email from a representative of the Federal Aviation Administration describing the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriation Act Airport Grant Program, signed into law by the president at the end of December. The message said, “The program includes $2 billion in funds to be awarded as economic relief to eligible U.S. airports… including some public-owned general aviation airports.”
This airport previously received $20,000 in stimulus funds under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Pfeifer said he did not know how much the airport might receive, and the message said, “Further updates will be forthcoming once allocation amounts under the formulas are finalized.”
During his report, Pfeifer also said monthly fly-in events will resume on Saturday, Feb. 16.
A new gate on the airport’s east side will help keep automobile traffic off the runway. With grant funds approved, commissioners had been prepared to award the bid. The company returned a bid higher than expected, however, and that bid did not include connecting to a new electrical service. Those increased expenses led commissioners to seek more bids. They also took time to consider the placement of the gate and how it might affect drainage issues.
At the close of the meeting, Teigen said he is looking forward to the completed Master Plan for the airport to see how it addresses future property acquisition. Recent construction at the airport has focused attention on the lack of space for further expansion, and the airport has a long waiting list for hangar space.