The City of Humboldt is exploring improvements to its airport by applying for a grant that would provide 50 percent of the cost of hiring a consultant. The decision to proceed with an application through the Community Airport Partnership came at Monday night’s City Council Meeting. The intent is to scope out the needs for refurbishing the aging airport by engaging in an Aerodrome Feasibility and Planning Study. With increased economic activity in the region, there is speculation that the airport will be subject to more use and will require maintenance and upgrades. 

City Council debated the prospect of applying for the grant which would provide $30,000 of a proposed $60,000 to conduct the study. Council attempted to determine whether its share of the study would come from funding through reserves, through cost savings in other projects, or from outside sources. Councillors discussed the idea of deferring the study for a year so that the cost could be accounted for in the 2023 budget.

Deputy Mayor Larry Jorgenson, presiding over Monday night’s council meeting, made this observation.

“I think there is some, let’s call it maintenance, that we’ve been doing the minimum required for several years, and I think the sooner we get a plan to address it the better. Deferring this for another year may end up costing more than what we would have to dip into reserves for now.”

Jorgenson noted that a study might reveal deficiencies that could end up costing a considerable dollar amount, and the process of determining the airport’s needs is better begun sooner than later. Council also advised the City administration to look into tapping into users and future beneficiaries for helping to fund the City’s share.

Council passed the recommendation to proceed with the application for the grant, noting that if the City were not successful in securing the grant this time around, the study would simply be put on hold.