Officials in Auglaize County are looking to make big improvements to the Neil Armstrong Airport. They have a three million dollar plan that includes improved sanitation, a snow removal storage building and a new terminal. Commissioners say they are fairly confident the Federal Aviation Administration will fund most of the project, but tell us the terminal building does not qualify as a high priority. This means they might have to come up with 750 thousand dollars on their own to complete the project. Commissioners say the terminal built in the 1970's just no longer serves the needs of the airport.
"This building is small. It's inadequate as far as the space needs and restroom needs for the patrons who are going to be using this, especially the pilots that do come in for the corporate businesses that utilize this airport, and so it's time. It's been beneficial for 30 plus years, but it's time to come up with a building that's going to take us into the 21st century," said Auglaize County Commissioner Spencer.
Commissioners met with Congressman Jim Jordan this afternoon to discuss opportunities for federal funding.
"If there are dollars that are going to be spent anyway, we certainly want to go to bat for a great community like right here in Auglaize County and a wonderful airport named after a pretty important American, so hopefully we'll be able to make an impact and make a difference for them," said Rep. Jim Jordan, (R) Ohio's 4th District.
Their ultimate goal would be to have the new terminal open in 2019, just in time to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Armstrong landing on the moon.
