Lois Larson
The ownership of airports in the US varies, with some being privately owned, and others being owned by municipal, county, or state governments. In 2023, the Portage County Regional Airport Authority was dissolved, and the airport was taken over by the Portage County Commissioners. This change in ownership was due to mounting debt and disrepair at the airport, with the hope that county ownership would put the airport in a better position to receive grants from the Federal Aviation Administration. The Portage County Regional Airport is now owned by the Portage County Board of Commissioners and is located in Ohio, serving the business and general aviation needs of Portage County and the northeast region of the state.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Portage County Regional Airport |
| Location | Shalersville Township, Ohio, United States |
| Ownership | Previously owned by the Portage County Regional Airport Authority, now owned by the Portage County Commissioners |
| Management | Guided by an eight-member Board of Trustees |
| Purpose | Serves the business and general aviation needs of Portage County and the northeast region of Ohio |
| Aircraft Operations | 18,624 aircraft operations in the 12-month period ending September 15, 2022 |
| Aircraft Types | Ultra-lights, single, twin-engine, turbine fixed-wing, and rotary aircraft (helicopters) |
| Runway | One runway designated 9/27 with an asphalt surface measuring 3,499 by 75 feet |
| Amenities and Services | Restaurant, fixed-base operator selling fuel, aircraft maintenance, hangaring, conference rooms, pilot supplies, crew lounge |
| Benefits to the Community | Provides quick transportation for businesses, serves as a training facility for pilots, supports aviation-related businesses in the region |
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What You'll Learn
The airport is now owned by the Portage County Commissioners
The airport has a variety of aircraft operations, including ultra-lights, single, twin-engine, and turbine fixed-wing aircraft, as well as helicopters. It is used by the National Guard for helicopter pilot training and private flight instruction. The airport also serves Kent State University, which frequently sends aircraft to the facility. The airport plays a crucial role in the region's infrastructure, attracting businesses and providing quick transportation for people and cargo.
The Commissioners voted to take over the airport to address its financial and maintenance issues. Previously, the airport was managed by the Portage County Regional Airport Authority, which made significant expenditures in the 1980s for a runway expansion project that never materialized. This left the airport with persistent debt problems. The Commissioners aim to improve the facility and put it in a better position to receive grants from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The FAA has shown support for the airport in the past, contributing grants for projects like the runway repaving in 2016 and 2017, which cost over $800,000. With county ownership, the airport will be in a stronger position to secure additional funding from the FAA, which prefers to fund airports under government ownership. The Commissioners have also considered hiring a full-time airport manager and acquiring ownership of the Portage Flight Center, which currently operates the airport.
The Portage County Commissioners' ownership of the airport is expected to bring about positive changes and improve the facility's operations and maintenance. The Commissioners are working to address the airport's challenges and enhance its role as a valuable asset to the county and the region.
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The previous owner was the Portage County Regional Airport Authority
The previous owner of the Portage County Airport was the Portage County Regional Airport Authority. The airport authority was guided by an eight-member Board of Trustees, which was headed by Homer Lucas. The airport had been struggling with debt and disrepair, with runway and taxiway repairs needed. The airport authority had also been unable to expand the runway to accommodate larger aircraft, which had left the airport and county commissioners with debt problems.
In 2023, the airport was taken over by the Portage County Commissioners, with the Portage County Regional Airport Authority being dissolved. This move was in response to the airport's financial situation and the need for critical repairs. The county commissioners had initiated the process to take over the airport, seeking to improve the facility and address the debt and maintenance issues.
The Portage County Commissioners voted to take over the airport, and they hired the Aviation Management Consulting Group to advise them on the process. The consultants recommended county acquisition and suggested hiring a full-time airport manager. This change in ownership was expected to bring benefits, including improved access to grants from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA was more likely to provide funding to airports under government ownership, and county ownership would provide more stability.
The airport board members and local businesses supported the change in ownership, believing it would be advantageous for the airport and the county. The airport plays a crucial role in the region, serving the business and general aviation needs of Portage County and northeast Ohio. It facilitates various aircraft, including ultra-lights, single and twin-engine planes, and helicopters. With county ownership, the airport can better accommodate the growth of local and regional businesses and the county itself.
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County-owned airports are municipal
One of the main advantages of a municipal airport is access to other municipal resources. For example, the Portage County Airport in Ohio is used by the National Guard to train helicopter pilots, and it is also used for private flight instruction. The airport is also used for disaster relief, with airplanes being used to get supplies and volunteers to where they are needed. Additionally, businesses moving to the area consider the presence of an airport, as it is part of the transportation infrastructure.
However, a disadvantage of a municipality owning an airport is the experience level of decision-makers. Decision-makers could be mayors, city council members, or department heads, who may be unfamiliar with FAA regulations and aviation-related operations. There is also a level of distraction when all parties are not working towards the same goal. To address this, some local governments have created special-purpose districts or political subdivisions to oversee airports specifically.
In the case of the Portage County Regional Airport, the airport was previously owned by the Portage County Regional Airport Authority but was taken over by the Portage County Commissioners in 2023 due to mounting debt and disrepair. The airport now falls under county ownership, which will allow it to access grants from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) more easily, as the FAA prefers to fund airports under government ownership.
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County ownership may increase access to grants from the Federal Aviation Administration
The Portage County Regional Airport in Ohio, United States, was previously owned by the Portage County Regional Airport Authority. However, in 2023, the airport was taken over by the Portage County Commissioners due to mounting debt and disrepair.
County ownership of the airport is expected to bring several benefits, one of the most significant being increased access to grants from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Board member Chris Gilmore highlighted that the FAA prefers to provide funding to airports under government ownership, stating, "What the FAA likes to see is active involvement of the local government."
The FAA has a history of providing substantial grants to airports across the United States. For example, in 2023, the FAA announced more than $332 million in grants across 32 states through the Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG) program. These grants are intended to modernize airports and improve airport planning, development, sustainability, terminal expansions, and runway safety.
Portage County Regional Airport has specific needs, such as relocating its taxiway and building an additional hangar, which require funding. With county ownership, the airport is in a stronger position to secure grants from the FAA and address these short-term and long-term maintenance issues.
Additionally, the airport plays a crucial role in the community, serving as a training facility for helicopter pilots, accommodating private flight instruction, and supporting aviation-related businesses in the area. By accessing FAA grants, the airport can continue to enhance its infrastructure and services, benefiting the county and local businesses.
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The airport has been in debt since the 1980s
The airport's debt problems have been well-documented, with the airport owing over $500,000 and requiring critical repairs with no clear plan for funding. The county commissioners have attempted to address this issue by seeking to take over the airport and dissolve the independent board that oversees it. They also sought to hire a manager to assume control on behalf of the county government, but their efforts were initially unsuccessful as no one applied for the position.
The commissioners then renewed their efforts by seeking a consultant to evaluate the airport's management, recommend an alternative management structure, and examine staffing needs. They interviewed two consulting firms for the contract: Steven Baldwin Associates, based in Albany, New York, and Aviation Management Consulting Group, based in Colorado. The latter firm recommended that the county acquire ownership of the airport and hire a full-time airport manager.
The airport board members have argued that county ownership will put them in a better position to obtain grants from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which provides "tens of millions" in grants for various projects. They also emphasised the importance of the airport to the county, including its role in disaster relief and the presence of aviation-related businesses in the area. The airport is also used by the National Guard for training helicopter pilots and by Kent State University for aircraft.
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Frequently asked questions
The Portage County Regional Airport Authority was dissolved in 2023, and the airport was taken over by the Portage County Commissioners.
The airport was facing mounting debt and disrepair, totalling over $500,000, and there was no plan to cover these expenses.
The airport was previously owned by the Portage County Regional Airport Authority, guided by an eight-member Board of Trustees.
County ownership puts the airport in a better position to get grants from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA can provide "tens of millions" in grants for various projects, but it prefers to fund airports that are under government ownership.
