OSIDA details Burns Flat upgrades, sets aside PREP money for runway rehab and asks lawmakers for $25 million development fund

Craig Smith, executive director of the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA), told the House Appropriations and Budget Transportation A and B Subcommittee that Burns Flat spaceport has received multiple state investments and is beginning a series of pavement, lighting and utilities projects while attracting commercial tenants.

Smith said OSIDA has set aside about $17 million of PREP funds for phased runway and pavement rehabilitation, and that an on-site contractor began phase one work valued at about $3.8 million. A subsequent bid for phase two returned about $5.8 million, Smith said, and the authority expects several phases as it addresses runway spalling, joints, lighting and approach systems. The authority also described $4.25 million in ARPA funds for water and wastewater improvements; those bids came back higher than that amount, and OSIDA said it drew PREP funds to cover the difference so projects can move forward before federal ARPA deadlines.

Smith described operational and tenant developments at Burns Flat: - A 13,503‑foot runway: Smith noted the…