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Russellville airport hangar project scaled down; airport board seeks short loan while federal and state grants arrive
Summary
Representatives for the Russellville‑London‑Hopkinsville regional airport told the Logan County Fiscal Court on May 13 that the planned 12,000‑square‑foot hangar was downsized to meet fire‑suppression requirements and that federal and state grants now cover most of the cost, leaving the airport to request only a short interim loan if timing gaps occur.
Representatives for the Russellville‑London‑Hopkinsville regional airport updated the Logan County Fiscal Court on May 13, saying the planned hangar has been reduced in size because of fire‑suppression obligations and that available federal and state grants now cover most of the cost.
The airport said the project was downsized from a 15,000‑square‑foot hangar to a 12,000‑square‑foot hangar to meet fire‑suppression requirements. Cassie Sobe, who summarized the financing, said, “the total project cost now is gonna cost $3,000,046,900.” She said the airport expects federal funds to cover about “40.4% of the total funds,” the state about “41%,” the city and county about “1.2%” each, and the airport itself would pick up roughly “16.1% of the project costs.”
Sobe told the court that because state and federal award years have shifted, the airport now expects most grant dollars to arrive sooner than when the project was first budgeted. That timing reduces the amount the airport needs to borrow for the interim. “We’re only having to loan years ’25 and ’26, which comes up to 332,000. Although we’ve requested a loan of 350,000 just in case there’s a shortfall,” Sobe said.
Steve Dillehay, who also spoke for the airport, described active market interest in the new “spec building” and hangar: “We’ve probably received in the past month 4 or 5 requests just for the Spec Building. So this month has really been a big month in RFIs, request for information for projects.” He added the hangar work is visibly underway and attracting attention from prospective tenants.
Airport officials asked the court simply to be willing to consider a short loan resolution if needed; they said they would return with any formal financing request. The court did not take a vote on a loan at the May 13 meeting.
Court members and airport staff also discussed potential uses for the hangar. Dillehay said one tenant, Romeo Bravo Aviation, will manage aircraft for co‑owners and provide maintenance and pilot services, and that T‑hangars on the field are fully occupied. Airport staff also announced a public open house and veterans’ event tied to a visiting World War II-era B‑25 bomber on June 7.
Why it matters: The hangar and the broader “spec building” are intended to increase the airport’s capacity to attract aviation businesses and to generate regional economic activity. Airport officials say the revised budget and grant timing substantially reduce the county’s short‑term borrowing need compared with earlier estimates.
