The project is designed to increase access to the airport and to allow for further development, he said.
“This is great news for Butler County,” Brown said. “These improvements will enhance the capacity of Middletown Regional Airport. These federal dollars will go a long way in sustaining travel in and out of the airport for area residents and businesses.”
The funds are an important part of the city’s plan to improve the airport and create jobs, said Denise Hamet, Middletown Economic Development Director.
“We are seeing a growing interest in being located at the airport but we need more space,” she said. “Relocation of the runway will open up land to construct more hangars.”
Matt Eisenbraun, the city’s economic development program manager, said this project is the final step of a multi-phase project to make several “shovel ready” sites available for development.
“We will immediately begin to work with interested parties to coordinate the construction of commercial hangers on 5 acres near the terminal as well as ‘T-style’ and ‘community’ hangers on 3.8 acres along Germantown Road,” he said. “We are eager to break ground and take the next step in the development of this tremendous asset.”
Eisenbraun said the city will continue to work with federal and state officials to open an additional 40 acres of property designated for opportunities in the industrial sector of the aviation industry.
The city is working with its airport commission, and outside consultants, to create a long-term growth strategy for the airport.
Middletown was one of the cities involved in the application for the Southwestern Ohio Aerospace Region designation, which “reflects our aerospace focus and interest in growing our aerospace expertise through expansion of our airport facilities, recruitment of new companies, and engaging our higher education resources to develop our aerospace workforce skill set,” said Hamet.
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