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Commissioners approve FAA grant application for regional airport master‑plan update
Summary
The board authorized the Department of Public Works & Transportation to apply for an FAA grant to update the Saint Mary’s County Regional Airport master plan. Staff said the FAA would cover about 95% of costs, with a small local match; the grant, if awarded, will fund an 18–24 month planning process and public review periods.
The Department of Public Works & Transportation told the commissioners the county will apply for FAA funding to update the Saint Mary’s County Regional Airport master plan. The work will include an inventory of existing conditions, an aviation demand forecast, facility requirements, alternatives development and an implementation plan, with public review and airport advisory board input.
DPW&T staff said they have an approved scope with FAA and expect the planning effort to take 18–24 months after notice to proceed. A department official described using commercial satellite‑based tools and FAA forecasting methods to build an aviation forecast that will drive facility planning.
John Norris, director, noted the favorable federal cost share: "Every dollar that's spent on this, only 5¢ of it is coming from the county. 95¢ is coming from the feds," he told the board.
Why it matters: A master plan update sets the long‑term road map for airport investments, eligibility for FAA grants and community engagement on future projects. The board voted to authorize the DPW director to sign and submit the FAA grant application and to authorize the commission president to sign related documents.
The motion carried by voice vote; staff will proceed with the application and follow FAA grant processes.
