Butler Tech outlines aviation campus build, enrollment and industry partnerships

Butler Tech officials told Butler County commissioners on April 15 that construction of a new aviation campus at Middletown Airport is on schedule and backed by a mix of county, state and local funding.

The update, delivered by Mr. John Graff, highlighted construction progress, program growth and private-sector partnerships. Graff said foundational work began in January, masonry and structural steel are in place, sanitary rough-ins and utilities are under way and the campus is expected to open in the winter of 2026.

The commissioners were given enrollment and funding details that place the county’s contribution at the center of the project. "This building project for our aviation campus in Middletown at the Middletown Airport is a $15,000,000 project of which $7,000,000 came from the county commissioner," Graff said. He said JobsOhio provided $1,000,000 and the city of Middletown contributed $500,000, with Butler Tech contributing an additional $7,000,000 for the 29,000-square-foot facility that will include about an 8,000-square-foot aviation hangar.

Why it matters: County…