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Commission approves $30,000 economic-development grant to incentivize airport hangar construction
Summary
The board approved a $30,000 economic development award to the county airports to offset planning and permit fees for private/commercial hangar construction, aiming to spur long-term lease revenue; vote passed 3-0.
The Board of Commissioners approved a $30,000 economic-development award to support hangar construction at Josephine County's two airports, Grants Pass and Illinois Valley.
Airport manager Mike Cipolli told the board the county has planning for roughly 50 hangars across both airports and that building private hangars creates durable lease revenue for the airport. Grant funding would be used to offset building-permit and planning fees (estimated at $2,500 –$5,000 per hangar) to incentivize private developers. Staff said airport tenants own hangar improvements while the airport retains land leases, making hangars long-term revenue sources.
Cipolli described a current airport hangar waiting list and said individual hangar rents generate roughly $1,500 –$2,000 per year in ground-lease revenue. The proposed $30,000 grant was framed as a one-time incentive to support up to approximately 12 hangar developments at about $2,500 per hangar.
Commissioners noted the county airport enterprise fund holds operating funds and that the grant request was reasonable given potential future revenue. A motion to approve the grant passed by unanimous roll call and staff will advertise the incentive to prospective hangar developers and airport advisory board members.
