Back to list November 20, 2015 Cumberland County may throw support behind Carlisle Airport expansion project With support growing from Carlisle Airport’s surrounding municipalities, airport officials now want similar support from Cumberland County officials as they begin applying for a $2.7 million Multimodal Transportation Fund Grant through PennDOT. The grant calls for a 30 percent match equating to an estimated $1.8 million, which Mary Kuna, market development manager for the Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation, said airport officials “would provide.” The goal is to construct a corporate aircraft hangar, a medevac hangar and a new terminal building. Kuna said the additions would give the airport “a stronger presence in the community.” According to an engineer’s estimate prepared by L.R. Kimball Company, a division of CDI-Infrastructure LLC, the subtotal for the terminal building was estimated at $1.856 million; the subtotal for the medevac hangar was $1.38 million; and the corporate aircraft hangar’s subtotal was more than $700,000. The project total was estimated at $3.95 million. “The airport right now is at max capacity, so there is a demand,” she said. Letter of approval Kuna’s request for a letter of approval from the Cumberland County commissioner’s took place Thursday morning during their workshop meeting. Kuna said letters of approval have already been received from Carlisle, North Middleton Township and South Middleton Township, which is where the airport is located. Plans are also in the works to reach out to other municipalities within the county. “All municipalities that surround it really do have a vested interest,” Kuna said. South Middleton Township Supervisor Tom Faley said the airport is “very much an asset to South Middleton Township in the sense that it attracts business traffic, and Life Lion can get in and out of there.” South Middleton Township supervisors unanimously approved sending a letter of support during their Nov. 12 meeting, according to Faley. Perry Heath, President of Carlisle Borough Council, said that while the airport is technically located in South Middleton Township, “it’s an economic engine for the entire area.” “So the municipality of location isn’t relevant, it’s the economic impact,” he added. “So the ability to expand that would be an economic driver for the area.” “The facility would just be brightened up,” Kuna said. “And with the new terminal, they may be looking to add in a restaurant and maybe other amenities.” Larry Thomas, chief clerk for the county, said the commissioners will take action on the request at their next meeting, which will be held Tuesday, Nov. 24. The full article can be found on Cumberlink.com.
