The Lorain County Board on Dec. 5 authorized county staff to apply for federal and state aviation grants to update the county airport master plan and to replace the main hangar roof.

Deputy administrator Karen (no last name given on the record) told commissioners that the master plan update would be funded primarily by the Federal Aviation Administration (about 95% of an approximately $900,000 cost) with a 5% match available through ODOT Aviation and no required contribution from the Lorain County General Fund. She described the request as an application to ODOT Aviation for a matching grant tied to an FAA grant.

On the hangar roof, Karen said the county had entered a contract to replace the main hangar roof at a cost of roughly $800,000 and planned to seek a supplemental ODOT Aviation grant of approximately $750,000 to offset those costs. Commissioners voted to authorize both grant applications and delegated execution of necessary documents to the county administrator.

Commissioners noted state economic-development funding streams have provided supplemental support in prior cycles. The board approved both authorizations by voice vote.