Upper Puyallup County Airport wins federal grant for ramp expansion; county authorizes judge to sign

John Gaither, representing the Upper Puyallup County Airport Board, told the court the board had secured federal grant funding to expand aircraft ramp and parking at the county airport. Gaither said the project would add roughly nine to ten short-term parking spaces and perform grading and paving work with tie-downs; sizing depends on aircraft dimensions chosen for the new stalls. The grant will cover about 95% of project costs, with a 2.5% state match and a 2.5% local match. Gaither told the court the airport expects to have the local match available and therefore is not requesting additional county funding at this time; the court was asked only to authorize signatures to apply for and execute the federal grant and the state match agreement. The court voted to authorize the judge to sign both the federal grant forms and the state match forms. County officials discussed timing for construction, said prework (grading) has been done, and indicated construction could begin within weeks pending final paperwork and bids. Gaither also mentioned recent growth at the airport: about 20 full-time based aircraft, 10 new hangars filled, and corporate traffic purchases of Jet A fuel that bring revenue. Why it matters: the airport board said additional ramp spaces and potential small long-term parking fees would help the airport accommodate more transient and based aircraft and slightly increase local revenue streams. A motion to accept both grants and allow the judge to sign was moved by Michael McKinney and seconded by Jason Bullock; the court approved the authorization with no request for additional county funding at present.