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Local aircraft maker seeks hangar at Herington airport, says expansion would add jobs
Summary
A representative of Garrison Aviation told the Herington City Commission the company seeks a city-built hangar at the Herington airport to expand manufacturing capacity from six–seven planes per year to about 15, promising at least six jobs paying roughly $60,000–$100,000; commissioners asked staff to draft a consent letter and explore funding options.
A representative of Garrison Aviation asked the Herington City Commission for help securing a 100-by hangar at the Herington airport that the company says would increase its aircraft manufacturing from six–seven planes a year to about 15.
The company’s representative said the expanded facility would ‘‘increase our output from six or seven aircraft per year to 15,’’ and estimated the project would create ‘‘at least six jobs that would pay anywhere from $60,000 to $100,000.’’ He told commissioners his firm would maintain operations in Junction City and lease the new building from the city if the municipality provided the hangar infrastructure.
Commissioners and staff discussed next steps, including drafting a city consent letter and exploring grant or state funding. The presenter said the airport’s activity could help the facility retain state and federal funding that requires a minimum based on aircraft counts; he described a threshold that in the past yielded ‘‘up to $450,000 a year’’ in aid, though he offered that figure as approximate.
Commissioners did not take a vote on a city commitment at the meeting; instead they asked staff to open discussions with the company and with economic-development partners and to prepare a draft letter or agreement for a future agenda. City staff indicated the commission could consider using airport budget dollars or pursuing grants, but that details, timelines and any formal funding obligations would need to be worked out and returned to the commission for approval.
The company representative also said the hangar plan was one phase of longer-term growth and that the firm would keep its Junction City facility. He encouraged commissioners to visit the Junction City shop and his showroom in Manhattan, and he offered to work with staff on a phased approach to financing and a lease structure.
Next steps: staff was asked to draft a consent letter, identify potential state or federal grants, and return recommended terms and costs for the hangar to a future meeting.
