Yakima Council extends air service consultant and accepts $2 million county match for terminal modernization

The Yakima City Council unanimously approved two airport-related resolutions Tuesday: a six‑month extension to the city’s air-service development contract and acceptance of a $2 million Yakima County supporting investments in economic development (SIED) grant to match federal construction funds for terminal modernization at Yakima Air Terminal–McAllister Field.

Why it matters: City airport leaders said the airport is pursuing new flight connections and a larger, modernized terminal to support local economic activity; the airport director framed the consultant extension and county funding as steps to secure flights and to leverage federal grants for construction work.

Air service consultant extension

The council adopted a resolution extending the current contract with Air Planners LLC for six months to continue negotiations with carriers and complete a thorough solicitation for a successor consultant. Airport Director Rob Hodgman told council the consultant helped bring a second daily flight back to the airport and that continued engagement is needed to pursue additional destinations; the contract extension was described on the record as costing about $6,000 per month (roughly $36,000 for six months). The resolution passed on a 7–0 roll call.

County grant and terminal modernization

Council also adopted a resolution authorizing the acceptance and expenditure of a $2,000,000 SIED grant from Yakima County to be used as a local match for federal and state airport improvement funds. Hodgman said the city already received earlier county support (a 2024 $750,000 seed grant) and has federal community project funding designated through Congressman Newhouse, Airport Improvement Program (AIP) entitlement funds and Airport Terminal Program grant funds in play. City officials said the $2 million will be combined with federal funds for phased terminal upgrades, including roof and HVAC replacement, a new accessible baggage carousel and restroom remodels, solar canopy planning, overflow parking expansion and runway rehabilitation design.

Council action and context

The extension resolution and the SIED acceptance resolution were both moved and seconded on the record and approved unanimously (7–0). Hodgman and airport staff said construction work is scheduled to begin this summer for portions of the terminal and that additional grant approvals (state budget items) remain contingencies for some projects. Officials emphasized the airport is an enterprise fund that does not draw on the city’s general fund and said FAA grant-assurance rules prohibit diverting airport funds to other municipal uses.

Ending

City leaders asked council to thank the county for continued support; the council adopted both resolutions and directed staff to continue airport outreach and federal/state coordination on terminal construction and related projects.