Airport authority ratifies MOU with Customs and Border Protection; tentative public announcement planned

The Hamilton County Airport Authority voted to authorize its president to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to advance planning for a possible customs facility at the airport.

Airport Director Sam told the board the MOU is primarily federal form-language to allow CBP and the authority to coordinate design, administrative details and next steps. Sam said legal staff had reviewed the draft and that the MOU does not bind the airport to construction costs: “It's more of formality so that we can officially work with them on this process,” he said.

Board members questioned the MOU’s language and funding implications. Sam said the MOU was reviewed by airport legal staff, and David (legal representative) confirmed that a clause referencing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) would not cause the county legal problems as written. The board agreed to ratify the signature subject to a short review window.

Sam said the airport and local partners are tentatively planning a public announcement about the customs process for Oct. 29, coinciding with Zionsville’s “state of the town” event at the airport; Sam emphasized that no final design or funding commitments have been made and that any public remarks must state that funding and design remain subject to agreement by the counties and municipalities involved.

The motion to authorize the president to sign the agreement passed on roll call (Bill Bier: Aye; Justin Clevenger: Aye; Bill Fry: Aye; Dave Richter: Aye).

Why it matters: A CBP presence could change the airport’s role in cross-border and international general-aviation traffic, but the MOU authorizes only coordination and preliminary design work. Funding, final layout and CBP approval of floor plans remain outstanding.

Next steps: Sam said the signed MOU will be circulated to the board for a short review and that staff will coordinate elected officials on any public announcement.