COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Branch County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to take formal action next Tuesday on one of three additional funding options for a runway project at the Branch County Memorial Airport.
The Commissioners have been considering three options concerning an additional $25,000 that is needed to complete the repaving of the crosswind runway.
The Michigan Department of Transportation’s Office of Aeronautics is being blamed for the increased cost of the project, as internal administration issues led to two delays in the bid letting process since November 2018.
The County has already allocated $45,000 for the local share of the $1.2 million project.
The Airport Board is recommending the county borrow $100,000 from the MDOT airport loan program to cover the $25,000 local share as well as $75,000 of FAA and MDOT discretionary funding.
Engineering consultant Ben Hoover said there would be no hurry to repay the loan as it can be paid back over 10 years. He added the amount that is not used for the local share can be paid back with future entitlement funds.
County Commissioner Don Vrablic expressed his frustration with MDOT. He said the local airport board did their job and that the county should get the money interest free.
If there are no more delays, it’s hoped work on the runway can start in July 2019.
