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Canyon Ferry airport manager seeks county support for runway dust-control grant
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Summary
Airport manager Dwight Thompson told the Broadwater County Airport Board he will submit a Montana Aeronautics grant for dust-control material and asked the board to document potential in-kind county support to strengthen the application.
Dwight Thompson, airport manager for Canyon Ferry Airport (8U9), told the Broadwater County Airport Board he plans to submit a Montana Aeronautics grant application to buy runway dust-control material and asked the board to document any county in‑kind support for the project.
Thompson said the airport previously withdrew an application last year because it lacked written confirmation of local support. "We didn't have any support on paper of what they may be able to do to help us with, funding some of that project," he said, adding the current application is coming due and he would like to file it "by this time next month." He described options including placing 2–4 inches of road mix across the runway surface, or targeting the center and landing zones where the pavement is most damaged.
The board discussed documenting an in‑kind match by having county crews supply equipment and labor. Commissioners suggested asking TJ (county public works) to estimate hours and provide a dollar value that could be listed on the application as an in‑kind match. "What we should do is talk to TJ...and then we put a value on that, and that will count as in kind of the match," one board member said.
Thompson said Montana Aeronautics funds the grant from fuel taxes and pilot registration fees and typically prioritizes smaller airports not served by the FAA. He repeated his target timeline: "I'd like to have it in by this time next month." The board advised Thompson to get a written quote from TJ on labor and equipment and to include that figure in the application. Thompson said he will proceed on the application.
The discussion was advisory; no formal budget appropriation or ordinance was passed. Board members emphasized the need to document county commitments before submitting the application and to confirm the grant's required match percentage once the application details are reviewed.
The board also noted construction and maintenance planning for the airport (see separate article on operations), and suggested that any larger grant award might support a more extensive repair (up to 3–4 inches of added material) if funding permits.
