The Carroll County Airport Commission (CCAC) held another virtual meeting last week and had technical difficulties in getting everyone connected. But once they established a quorum, commissioners heard nothing but good news about the airport.
Fuel sales have continued to bring in profits, another tenant will soon sign a lease, and the airport will receive a 100 percent grant to pay for resurfacing the runway and taxiway. All those factors move the airport significantly closer to becoming self-supporting. The airport has 21 people on a waiting list for hangars, providing a basis for further expansion in the future.
CCAC has received $20,000 in stimulus money, and the commissioners approved a thank-you letter to U.S. Rep. Steve Womack.
In other financial news, commissioners heard that an anticipated grant of $220,000 from the Federal Aviation Administration will be funded at 100 percent. Typically, those grants have a 10 percent co-pay, so the grant effectively saves the airport $22,000. The grant is expected by mid-August.
The airport has recently signed a long-term ground lease with a new tenant, and the steel has been delivered for that hangar. Work should begin in a week, with completion by the middle of August. Another prospective tenant, Chad Doyle, has reviewed a change of location and is prepared to sign a ground lease for a hangar 90 ft. by 100 ft.
Consulting Engineer Dan Clinton did not attend the meeting, but he shared information about the status of grant applications. The state’s tax collections are lower than usual, but that should not affect the grants that will help the airport install pavement between the new hangars and runway.