County will get $1 million from state for airport
The Wolf administration announced Monday the state Bureau of Aviation will provide Washington County Airport with $1 million for the Air Charter Services Inc. hangar and office space, 600 Airport Road.
Expecting the state money, commissioners in June went ahead with the $1.765 million purchase.
William McGowen, executive director of the Washington County Redevelopment Authority, which oversees the operation of the airport, said the closing on the transaction took place July 28. Air Charter, he said, has “down-sized,” leasing aviation-related offices and hangar space from the county, so the arrival of the state grant is basically “a reimbursement.”
The airport also had funding from the Local Share Account of gambling revenue from The Meadows Casino to complete the purchase.
The county, which owns airport land in North and South Franklin townships, is seeking tenants for office and hangar space not being used by Air Charter. The company’s website notes its 1980 Piper Warrior II is for sale.
Washington County’s $1 million for acquisition is part of $5.4 million distributed through the Aviation Transportation Assistance Program, which, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, is a capital budget grant program authorized by the General Assembly and funded with bonds. The grants leverage $3.6 million in local matching funds.
The announcement of the grants also included $150,000 to rehabilitate buildings at the Allegheny County Airport and $375,000 to construct a fueling facility at the Zelienople Municipal Airport in Beaver County.