Lawmakers hear request for $400,000 for Hill Air Force Museum gateway project

Senator Milner and representatives of the Hill Aerospace Museum asked the Economic and Community Development Appropriation Subcommittee on Jan. 27 for a one‑time $400,000 appropriation to fund a gateway project intended to expand visitor access and programmatic space.

Milner said the museum is a long‑standing community asset and highlighted its museum accreditation and reach, noting the museum logged about 304,000 visitors in the last year despite a six‑week government shutdown. "We had our 6 millionth visitor in October 2024," a presenter said, and officials pointed to educational outreach — including school visits, internships and fellowships — as core benefits. The presenters said the federal government funds day‑to‑day operations and many O&M costs because the museum is a U.S. Air Force field museum, but capital investments such as roof work and space upgrades typically require state or private funding.

Committee members asked how federal partners support the site; museum representatives said the federal government covers operations and maintenance to the extent possible but that recent federal cuts reduced available discretionary funds for capital improvements. The presenters argued the gateway project would expand exhibition and education capacity, increase regional tourism impact (estimated economic impact roughly $48.9 million based on visitation data), and strengthen STEM programming.

No committee vote was recorded on the request during the hearing; committee staff will consider the RFA during the appropriation process.