SELLERSBURG — The South Central Regional Airport Authority learned Wednesday that it will receive just more than $2 million in grant funds.
The funds, which were awarded to the authority by the Federal Aviation Administration, will be used to pay for the next phase of the runway expansion project at the Clark County Regional Airport.
The SCRAA board unanimously approved a resolution to accept the funds, for which the authority will have to put up $113,888 in matching funds to receive.
The work will primarily entail the excavation of about 200,000 cubic yards of dirt to make way for 1,500 feet of new runway.
After approving the acceptance of the grant funds, the SCRAA also approved a $1.84 million contract with Crider & Crider, subject to the approval of the FAA.
The SCRAA had submitted a request for up to $2.5 million to the FAA, which would have paid for the removal of the airport’s current navigational beacon, or navaid, and the installation of a new navaid if it had been awarded.
Notice to proceed will not be issued to Crider & Crider until after the FAA approves the contract. The News and Tribune previously reported that the work will take up to six months to complete after the awarding of the contract.
Airport Manager Melodee McNames credited the assistance of the offices of U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., and U.S. Rep. Todd Young, R-Ind., for their assistance in navigating the grant application process.