County approves Libby and Eureka airport task orders and grant applications; FAA to fund 95%

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners voted to approve two task orders and accompanying FAA grant applications for pavement maintenance projects at the Libby and Eureka airports.

Tyler Reid, identifying himself as an office leader for the Missoula Airports Group and the presenter for the projects, said the FAA is currently offering 95% funding for the projects and that the county must file the grant applications by a firm deadline (presenter cited June 1). He told the board that the projects are primarily for pavement maintenance and include grant programming, project management, design and construction management closeout services.

Reid and a senior designer, Sarah, said the local 5% match would be sought from Montana Aeronautics grant reimbursements; if the aeronautics fund does not reimburse the match, the county’s share for both projects combined would be roughly $39,000–$40,000. Reid estimated the engineering portion of the local match at about $8,000 and said construction estimates were in the roughly $350,000 range for a project estimate the presenters provided.

Commissioners asked about timing and disruption; presenters said construction would likely occur in late summer 2026 and contractors typically complete short pavement projects in one to two weeks, often closing the airport for a limited period. A motion to approve the task orders and the grant submissions passed by voice vote.

Staff will collect signatures and forward documents to the FAA and the county mayor for final endorsement.