GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The state of Wisconsin is giving Brown County an $800,000 grant to help with the third phase of a planned expansion at Austin Straubel International Airport.
The 65,220 square foot addition to the ramp will include an additional connection to the primary taxiway leading to a main runway. The project will improve aircraft traffic flow, create a more efficient aircraft parking area and provide an economic boost to airport operations and Brown County economic development efforts.
"There are times during the course of the year that are extremely busy and we're parking airplanes everywhere we can," says Airport Director Tom Miller. "Even to the point where we have to park aircraft on taxiways and close those pavements to drive-thru traffic, so this will help alleviate some of that."
When finished, the East Ramp located near Jet Air will have approximately 245,000 square feet of pavement for parking aircraft.
“This expansion, in partnership with the state and the county, will allow Jet Air – a Signature Select facility - to be one of the premier aircraft destinations in the State,” according to Alan Timmerman of Jet Air. The Fixed Base Operator is adding a new 36,000 square foot hangar which will include a new aircraft upholstery shop.
“This ramp expansion will provide us with the additional space to house and service the largest of corporate aircraft, to the smallest of general aviation aircraft; offering fueling, aircraft maintenance, avionics installations, storage, and interior refurbishment, all at one location,” Timmerman said. “
The total project cost for the expansion, including engineering, construction, management and state administration costs is expected to be around $1 million.
Construction is expected to be complete in July, in time to handle increased air traffic created by the Experimental Aircraft Association’s AirVenture.