Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Airport Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Anderson airport board delays T‑hangar rehab, opts to pursue box hangars using federal infrastructure funds
Summary
The Anderson Board of Airport Commissioners voted to defer rehabilitation of T‑hangar taxi lanes for one year and to add a box‑hangar construction project to the Airport Capital Improvement Plan, aiming to use roughly $431,000 in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds toward an estimated $1.18 million project.
The Anderson Board of Airport Commissioners voted to defer rehabilitation of existing T‑hangar taxi lanes for one year and to add a project to construct box hangars in 2026, with staff to update the airport’s Airport Capital Improvement Plan (ACIP) accordingly. Speaker 1 summarized the motion to postpone the T‑hangar construction phase and to add the box‑hangar project; Speaker 2 seconded the motion and the board voted in favor.
Board and staff discussion focused on funding, FAA requirements and revenue potential. Speaker 3 said about $431,000 in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funds could be applied to box‑hangar construction; staff reported a likely total construction cost of about $1,180,000. Speaker 3 argued new box hangars would be revenue‑generating—bringing “more planes, more business, more fuel sales”—and could be a better use of limited BIL funds than repaving taxi lanes.
Staff and the engineer warned that federal funding affects project costs and compliance. Speaker 1 noted using federal or entitlement money triggers Davis‑Bacon and other FAA requirements that can raise project costs and that discretionary FAA grants are competitive. The engineer also reminded the board that ACIP submittal is due December 1 and that designs already paid for would be preserved but might require repackaging later if construction is delayed.
Operational details discussed during the meeting included: the airport’s fuel balance of $157,255.22 and year‑over‑year jet fuel increases attributed to heavier jet and helicopter traffic; Tom Wood Avionics has given lease termination notice and is expected to vacate by June 1; and staff has quotes for steel and wood box‑hangar construction (60x80 with office and parts rooms).
Public comment reflected differing priorities. A public commenter (Speaker 5) urged the board to treat T‑hangar pavement as maintenance rather than an improvement, saying ACIP investment in maintenance signals community support. Board members clarified the proposed box hangars were intended for new tenants (not current T‑hangar occupants) and said there are roughly 40 names on a wait list for hangar space.
Next steps: staff will update the ACIP to reflect the board’s direction, send revised rules/regulations to the city attorney and tenants for review, continue exploring INDOT and FAA funding options (including an INDOT seal‑coat program staff said could cover up to about $100,000), and pursue discretionary FAA funding or alternate financing where required. The board did not record a separate formal vote authorizing federal grant applications at the meeting; the board’s action was limited to changing the ACIP priorities and adding the box‑hangar project.
The board adjourned following the vote.
