Sheridan County awards hangar lease at 2618 Aviation Drive to Gardner Lowe Aviation Services

Sheridan County commissioners voted Oct. 21, 2025, to award the lease of the hangar at 2618 Aviation Drive to Gardner Lowe Aviation Services, following a recommendation from airport manager Robert Gail.

Gail told the board the county issued a request for proposals on Aug. 15, 2025, and received three submissions: Gardner Lowe Aviation Services proposing an FAA-certified repair station and maintenance operation; Bighorn Flying Company proposing airplane and helicopter services that would specialize in agricultural and environmental work; and Bighorn Airways proposing commercial aeronautical operations including maintenance, aerial services and flight support. "After a thorough review, I recommended awarding the lease of the hangar to Gardner Lowe Aviation Services," Gail said.

Gail said the evaluation considered six criteria, including proposed use of the premises, local economic impact, record of prior performance, financial capacity, references and proposed lease terms. He told commissioners that establishing another certified maintenance facility should reduce inspection and repair delays that have affected general aviation users.

Commissioners discussed the three proposals and noted all were professionally prepared. By voice vote the board approved a motion to award the lease to Gardner Lowe Aviation Services; the motion carried without a roll-call tally recorded in the meeting transcript.

The county clerk's office holds the contract documents; the airport manager said staff will finalize lease terms and proceed with the authorization process.