Harvey Berger: 28 years dedicated to expanding flight services in Dubois County

*Berger was honored recently by the Dubois County Commissioners for his long years of service that saw the Huntingburg Regional Airport continue to grow and service new clients.*

Harvey Berger announced that after 28 years of service on the Dubois County Airport Authority, he is retiring.

Berger was appointed by the Dubois County Commissioners to the Dubois County Airport Authority starting in January of 1996 and has witnessed exponential growth at the Huntingburg Regional Airport.

During his tenure, the airport grew and expanded its services in multiple ways.

In 1996, the board, through a loan provided by the county, acquired 200 acres of surrounding land to enable the expansion and growth of the airport and its services.
Constructed the loop road in 1998, which opened the 200 acres to growth
In 2001, constructed the parallel taxiway system with a $1 million investment and HNB Hangar, LLC.
In 2003, added the central ramp for transient and large aircraft for about $1 million
In 2005, through the use of economic development income tax dollars, the board constructed taxiway D/D1 for MasterBrand and future development.
Also in 2005, secured MasterBrand hangar $2 million investment into the airport and county.
In 2014, after taking on the duties as an airport authority flight base operator, they started flight training as an authority line of business and purchased an Air Force plane from Government Services Administration for $900.
In 2015, expanded hangar capacity with T-Hangars built with $750,000 economic development income tax dollars from Dubois County.
In 2018, established the Aviation program with area high schools.
In 2019, secured first airport tunnel in Indiana for $3 million to construct the runway addition.
In 2021, completed construction of a longer and wider runway for $14 million split between local, state and federal funding.
In 2023, the new taxiway lighting system was added for $1 million.

“Something I learned in 28 years of service to the airport is that I learned a bit about how government works…SLOW,” Berger said with a chuckle as he was recognized for his service by the Dubois County Commissioners this week.

The Airport Board celebrated Harvey’s years of service at his final meeting earlier this month.

Berger’s comments nodded to the years of planning and development and project delays that occur as the Airport Authority navigates its way through federal (FAA) and state (INDOT) bureaucracy and funding sources.

According to Berger, the airport and Dubois County have a great working relationship enabling capital investments into the facilities it maintains to assist regional businesses with flight services and to subsequently support their growth.

“Keeping them (corporations) flying means keeping jobs local,” Berger stated after some reflection on his years of service.

Jim Hunsicker, board president of the Airport Authority recognized Berger’s years of service

“We are going to miss Harvey, as his hand has been a guiding positive force during many years of service to the County and Region,” he said.