County airport celebrates improvements
?DUNBAR TWP. — The completion of one project and the beginning of another was celebrated during a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Joseph A. Hardy – Connellsville Airport.
Officials who participated in Thursday’s event said a team effort was required to see the multimillion-dollar runway safety project completed during the summer of 2010.
State Sen. Richard A. Kasunic, who spoke along with Fayette County commissioners Vincent Zapotosky and Vincent A. Vicities, lauded the efforts of everyone involved in seeing the continued advancement of the airport.
“This airport plays an important role in the economic development of Fayette County,” said Kasunic, D-Dunbar.
The runway safety project, paid for in part with federal and state grant money, involved establishing an earthen runway about 150 feet wide and 300 feet long for additional safety. Also included in the project was the installation of a primary lighted windsock and additional pavement markings and improvements.
Kasunic has secured $2 million in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RCAP) grant money for the airport.
The first $1 million was acquired in 2008 and was used to help pay for the runway safety project.
The second $1 million, secured in December, will be used to help pay for a much-needed hangar construction project that will allow the Fayette County Airport Authority to replace several dilapidated hangars at the airport.
Kasunic said that in today’s fast-paced business world, companies look to develop in places with easy access to air travel. Having an airport attractive to businesses increases the marketability of Fayette County, he said.
According to Kasunic, both the runway safety project and the hangar construction project will make the airport more attractive to corporate clientele.
The longer runway allows larger jets to land at the airport, while the new hangars will allow corporate aircraft to be housed.
The new hangars will be located near the terminal building, to the left of the building upon entrance to the facility, and the current 11 hangars that are there now will be torn down.
Construction will include seven hangars. Two of the hangars will be 62 by 65 feet and the remaining hangars will be 56 by 52 feet, all of which will be large enough to accommodate larger planes than the airport can currently accommodate.
Kasunic said he will remain a steadfast supporter of the airport, noting that Fayette County is blessed to have a growing airport, a functioning railway, the Mon/Fayette Expressway and the Monongahela River, which allows for needed waterway traffic.
“I’m honored to have been in the position where I’ve been able to help move the airport forward,” Kasunic said, noting that he would eventually like to see the runway further extended.
“We’ll all continue working together and hopefully, after some more hard work, we’ll be here again for the groundbreaking of another runway extension project,” he said.
Zapotosky and Vicities said the airport is an important piece in the puzzle when it comes to encouraging continued economic development.
Both commissioners thanked the airport authority members, state and local officials and others who have had a hand in the airport’s recent successes. They also thanked former county commissioner Joseph A. Hardy for his ongoing support of the airport.
“We’ll continue to work for this airport and the people of Fayette County as the airport continues to have a positive impact on the economic development of our county,” Zapotosky said.
Vicities said the airport does, and will continue to, play an important role.
“I’m glad to be part of this airport’s success because this facility is crucial to Fayette County’s future,” Vicities said.
Also attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony were Marsha Widmer, representing state Rep. Tim Mahoney, D-South Union Twp.; Joe Beal, representing state Rep. Deberah Kula, D-North Union Twp.; and Jackie Erickson, Southwestern Pennsylvania regional director for U.S. Sen. Robert Casey, D-Pa.
In addition, Russell Jones, airport planner with the state Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Aviation, and Jennifer Andy of Michael Baker Jr. Inc. of Moon Township were also on hand. Michael Baker is the authority’s engineering firm and served as project manager for the runway safety project.
Jones said the Bureau of Aviation will assist in anyway it can to help the Joseph A. Hardy – Connellsville Airport move forward.
“We’re committed to helping this airport progress,” he said.
Airport manager Mary Lou Fast said the airport would not be the success it is without the support of pilots, community members and county, state and federal officials. She also commended airport authority members for their work.
“This has truly been a joint effort,” Fast said. “We’re closing one door and opening another. Fayette County already has a good airport we can all be proud of and by working together we’ll have an even better airport in the future.”