Monroe County will help pay costs related to the creation of a design plan for the airport control tower upgrade project.
The 51-year-old control tower needs repair. According to the county’s Aviation Department, the control tower needs upgraded air traffic control equipment, HVAC systems, communication consoles, radios/antennas, and more. Upgrading the control tower is estimated to cost $1.6 million.
County attorney Jeff Cockerill said the airport is applying for federal grant money through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which would cover nearly 100-percent of construction costs. To increase the county’s odds of receiving federal funding, the airport plans to present a detailed, comprehensive design plan to the FAA.
At it’s public meeting Tuesday, the Monroe County Council unanimously voted in favor of spending $185,439 of the Aviation Construction fund to create a design plan. The county would reimburse the Aviation Construction fund within the next 18-months.
Councilmember Marty Hawk said an upgraded airport would benefit several members of the community because it would convince large companies to stay and attract guests to places such as Indiana University.
“So, this is all a part of economic development for this county and that’s going to make a difference for everyone in the county whether you ever even drive by that airport,” Hawk said.
Cockerill said even if the airport does not receive federal funds this year, it would have a detailed design plan ready for the future.