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PEP presents 7-step airport plan, EPA technical assistance and Rails-to-Trails funding needs
Summary
Rebecca with PEP briefed the council on a seven-step airport development plan (including a preliminary engineering report and a 25% match for a BRC grant), updated the council on EPA technical assistance scheduling, and said Rails-to-Trails has secured just under $45,000 and needs about $105,000 more to finish planning.
Rebecca, representing the Powell Economic Partnership, told the council she recommended a seven-step process to advance airport development, beginning with a preliminary engineering report to estimate costs and serve as a grant match. "The first thing to do would be getting a preliminary engineering report," Rebecca said, adding that the report could be used as part of the city's match for state or federal grants.
She listed further steps: a rental study (to estimate hangar leasing values), a city agreement to share hanger availability when they arise, pursuit of a BRC grant that currently calls for a 25% local match, a cultural study (or NEPA screening), identification of applicable EDA and coal-communities funding programs, and utility buildout to make manufacturing land and hangar sites shovel-ready. Rebecca said PEP would help write and manage grant applications as part of its service.
Rebecca also updated the council on an EPA Recreation for Rural Economies technical assistance award that includes Powell and Park County as one of 25 selected communities. She said the technical assistance will likely include virtual calls, steering-committee meetings and a two-day workshop; the earliest start could be spring–summer 2026, though fall–winter 2026 or 2027 are also possibilities.
On the Rails-to-Trails project, Rebecca said the PEP has secured just under $45,000 and that roughly $105,000 more is needed to complete planning and reach 90% design. Tool Design and EA Engineering have been engaged to deliver route options, vertical views and a memo to support fundraising and subsequent phases.
During the Rails-to-Trails update, Debbie Velez asked how many landowners along the corridor had been contacted. Rebecca said the project team sent two letters to landowners with addresses available from the county map server and hosted a landowner barbecue to answer questions. "Along the rail corridor, yes, we have sent 2 sets of letters to everyone along the rail corridor that we had addresses for," Rebecca said, and noted coordination with the county assessment office for updated contact information.
Next steps: PEP will provide the council with the deliverables (including the Tool Design memo and proposed routes) in its upcoming quarterly report and continue fundraising to secure the additional funds needed for 90% design and to satisfy stakeholder needs such as BNSF and the irrigation district.
