Huntingburg Airport celebrates new terminal progress

The timber frame structure of the new Frosty Jones Terminal Building at Huntingburg Regional Airport is now rising out of the ground and visible from U.S. 231.

“Seeing the timber frame ascend marks a proud moment for our airport and the entire region,” says Jim Hunsicker, President of the Dubois County Airport Authority Board. “This modern terminal will enhance safety, comfort, and connectivity for our community and businesses. We thank all our funding partners, engineers, contractors, and stakeholders for making this progress possible.”

Named in honor of aviation founder and community leader Frosty Jones, the new terminal will modernize passenger services, enhance safety and operational efficiency, and serve as a welcoming front door for general aviation, business travel, education, and public events.

The $7.2 million project represents a collaborative effort among local, state, federal, and private-sector stakeholders, including the FAA Chicago Airport District Office, INDOT Aviation Section, Dubois County Council, Grow Dubois County, Huntingburg Electric Utility, St. Henry Water Corp, Radius Indiana, and Uebelhor Oil & Developments.

The project scope encompasses $1.5 million in site work, a $100,000 terminal pad, $5 million for the building itself, $200,000 for parking, and $1.2 million for the entry drive.

Funding for the terminal comes from multiple sources, with the Federal Aviation Administration contributing $3.8 million, INDOT providing $187,000, and the Dubois County Airport Authority investing $1.6 million. Additional funding includes $500,000 from the Dubois County Council, $40,000 from Grow Dubois County, $100,000 from Radius Indiana, a $1 million Dubois County EDIT Loan, and $10,000 from Uebelhor Oil/Developments.

Design and construction leadership for the terminal includes Woolpert as the lead design and engineering firm for terminal planning, architecture, and site work, with Stenftenagel Group serving as the owner’s representative providing daily site inspection and coordination. Weddle Bros. is the general contractor overseeing construction.

Local involvement in the project is substantial, with Dubois County subcontractors accounting for 52% of the work. These include Seufert Construction, Astro Security, Metal Tech Roofing, Huntingburg Machine Works, Gasser Electric, Schue Drilling, Brescher Landscaping, and J.H. Rudolph & Co.

Regional subcontractors, representing 47% of the project, include Bartley & Perigo Masonry, Inline Painting, WB Koester, CNC Foundations, and Koberstein Contracting.

The construction timeline calls for roof installation by Metal Tech Roofing and enclosure by Seufert Construction during summer 2025. Interior systems, including mechanical, electrical, and plumbing work, will be handled by Huntingburg Machine Works, Gasser Electric, and Schue Drilling, which is installing geothermal systems.

Fall 2025 will see exterior final paving by J.H. Rudolph and landscaping by Brescher Landscaping, followed by final inspections with FAA-ADO and INDOT Aviation in winter 2025/2026. The projected opening is scheduled for late 2025 to early 2026, weather and inspections permitting.

The terminal project has been more than 15 years in planning and will serve five counties and nine school corporations. It supports over 150 high school aviation students in PVCTEC/STEM programs and serves corporate users including Kimball International, OFS Brands, Best Chairs, Jasper Engines, and MasterBrand.

Once completed, the terminal will help reinforce Huntingburg Regional Airport’s role as a vital connector for economic growth and regional prosperity across Southern Indiana.

Huntingburg Regional Airport is part of the FAA’s National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems and serves as a regional hub for general aviation, business travel, flight training, emergency response, and economic development across Southern Indiana.

The airport authority notes that they are still welcoming donations, naming rights, and underwriters for the project.