Wood County Regional Airport warns of looming grant deadline and funding gap for runway/overlay projects

Jamie Weidner, president of the Wood County Regional Airport Authority, told county commissioners on April 21 that the hangar project is at a standstill and that grant timing is critical for the airport’s capital plans.

Weidner said the authority is working with the Federal Aviation Administration on funding for an apron and taxiway and that available funds will be lost if not used. He told commissioners that the state wants the $750,000 grant funds, which could be used toward a new hangar, to be approved by June 1. "The hangar project is at a standstill," he said, and added that the authority would either proceed with the original design or modify it if alternative grant funding is awarded.

Weidner reported that Bowling Green State University has signed a long-term lease with the airport authority but recently lost eight flight instructors to airlines, creating a roughly two-month backlog for stage checks. He said the overlay project for runways and taxiways is expected to cost $2.1 million to $2.2 million and that the authority needs approximately $300,000 in up-front funds. Weidner also said the RAA has not yet drawn on loan funds the county authorized for the north/south runway project and may need an extension for that agreement. He noted that Airport Manager Patrick Orem has been drawing down grant funds during projects rather than waiting until the end of the work.

Ms. Stanley (County Administrator) indicated the current agreement between the county and the RAA may need to be amended. Weidner said he would attend a meeting that day to further discuss the project and potential funding options.

The airport authority’s update highlighted a near-term grant approval deadline, staffing challenges affecting flight instruction services, and a capital funding shortfall for an overlay project that will require local or alternative funding to bridge the upfront cost.