Airport Authority: Avenues sought for second t-hangar

The Dubois County Airport Authority is working to fund the construction of a second t-hangar.

During Monday night’s meeting, Airport Manager Travis McQueen told the board that he has had conversations with two Indiana legislators in an effort to find a source of funding to help pay for the second t-hangar.

The first t-hangar was funded through the airport authority with the Dubois County Council appropriating $450,000 in Economic Development Income Tax funds. The project cost about $640,00 in total.

It’s clear to the board that they will not get much, if any, help from the council due to budgetary restrictions.

McQueen said they have had to turn to other sources. “What we’re trying to do is work forward and pulling together state funds at 50 percent, and local funds at 50 percent.”

“There was an old program years ago that has not been funded for years. And, if that would happen that would allow us the ability to increase our hangar capacity,” he said about the Indiana Department of Transportation’s Aviation fund.

The first t-hangar was filled before it opened and according to McQueen the demand will only increase with the runway extension project that is underway.

McQueen has presented the airport’s financial need to Senate Finance Committee Chair Luke Kenley and State Senator Mark Messmer. He says any investment by the state along with the local share is an investment in the revenue generating expansion plans.

If they can get it funded and constructed, McQueen expects the best use of a new t-hangar will be to move the smaller aircraft into those slots and use community hangars 3 and 5 for larger aircraft.