By Howard Greninger, The Tribune-Star
howard.greninger@tribstar.com
TERRE HAUTE - Terre Haute International Airport-Hulman Field has received $1.9 million in federal stimulus funds, enabling officials to begin a $10 million runway rehabilitation project in May.
"We are only one of nine airports [in Indiana] to receive these funds," through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, said Darryl Huyett, president of the Terre Haute Airport Authority, which oversees the finances of the airport.
The project will translate into $30 million to $40 million in overall economic effect, Huyett said, using an economic impact formula that covers jobs, salaries and supplies.
Runway 5/23 is the longest of three at the airport at 9,020 feet. The runway, with required pavement overruns in the event of an aircraft emergency, is actually 11,300 feet in length. The entire runway will have three inches of its surface milled, then five inches of new asphalt will be added. The extra height will allow the runway to match new 12-foot paved shoulders, which currently are turf.
The upgrade also includes new electrical lighting and fixtures along the runway.
In addition to the stimulus money, the airport has received $8.129 million from three grants for the runway project, two in 2008 and one this year, from the Federal Aviation Administration's Airport Improvement Program.
"We have worked and lobbied hard for several years with our consultant, DG Design, and engineer, NGC Corp., to make this happen," Huyett said, "along with great support from the Indiana Department of Transportation's office of aviation ... "
"This project will help the airport to continue to maintain our runways in serviceable condition for use by the public or, if needed, by emergency and civil defense organizations as part of the nation's transportation and civil defense network," Huyett said.
Huyett said the airport is continuing efforts to attract air traffic other than general aviation.
"We've been seeking both commercial and charter flights because there is not much movement in the air cargo industry. We are making calls to charter companies, but everything has slowed down in this economy," he said.
David Decker, president of the Vigo County Board of Commissioners, said the stimulus money will have a long-term impact on the community.
Terre Haute Mayor Duke Bennett agreed, saying, "The airport is a significant economic development tool for our community. I really believe it has a lot of potential, so any time we make an investment and we are able to get the funding to help us do that, it will pay off in the long run," Bennett said.
The mayor said he was happy the facility was "able to receive some stimulus money and will be able to build upon the airport to take advantage of what all it can bring to our community."