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7/3/2008 3:32 AM

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By Cara Host, Staff writer

chost@observer-reporter.com

WAYNESBURG - Greene County officials started the search process for a special consultant who will plan both short- and long-term improvements at the county airport.

Commissioners would like to repave the apron and taxiways before the end of the year, and they have more ambitious plans for the airport over the next five years or so. The county began advertising for a consultant to lead this project Tuesday. Commissioners are expected to hire a firm by fall.

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The county received a $198,000 grant from the state Department of Transportation Bureau of Aviation to start the work. Robbie Matesic, director of the county's Department of Economic Development, said the grant will pay for the initial fee to the consultant, as well as the construction costs for the apron and taxiway improvements.

The county will have to seek additional grants to pay for future improvements, which include a major change in the layout of the airport.

The airport master plan, which was prepared by consultants from L. Robert Kimball and Associates, calls for the demolition of several older hangars south of the runway. New ones then will be erected in an area north of the runway.

The move will free some space along Route 21 for the possible development of retail and aviation-related businesses.

"We're trying to make that land available so it can be used in its highest and best purpose," Matesic said.

Having businesses there should generate revenue for the airport, "so we don't have to be so dependent on grant dollars. The commissioners would like to see the airport become more self-sufficient," Matesic continued.

Plans also call for resurfacing the runway and installing a new system to help guide pilots as they land at the airport.

Matesic said the improvements will be tackled in phases as grant money becomes available.

"This is a real high priority for the commissioners. They really want these improvements to the airport," Matesic said.

The state's aviation grant program is administered by the state Department of Transportation and is funded through taxes on aircraft fuel, with 95 percent of the funds coming from the federal government's share of the fuel tax, 2.5 percent from the state and 2.5 percent from the county.

The county has no plans to expand the runway, a project that officials considered in the past. The idea has been abandoned because of the high cost, estimated at more than $10 million, and because of projections of future airport use.

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