LISBON — The Columbiana County Airport may get more than $1 million in needed improvements and expansion of hanger space, bringing four members of the airport authority board to see the county commissioners on Wednesday for some assistance.

Jim Pusateri told commissioner one of the projects — an estimated $741,000 in paving work — would be the largest project. The project would rehabilitate part of a parallel taxiway including remilling an area 2,000 feet long, 35 feet wide and two inches down.

There is grant money available through the Federal Aviation Administration and it could pay for the entire project. The worse case scenario for that project, according to Pusateri, would be a local match of $31,014.

However, the FAA will not support paving the area all the way to the fuel tanks for the airport, which will necessitate either moving the current 10,000-gallon underground tank or looking for a new option.

Pusateri and another board member, Dan Thompson, explained to commissioners they are considering downsizing to a 4,000-gallon tank, which would be in a new location and above ground on a cement pad. With the fuel having a shelf life of only nine months, the local airport usually gets smaller deliveries of fuel anyway.

With the paving work on a timeline for August, Pusateri said they do not want to be down without a fuel tank long during their busiest season of the year.

If there are no funds available for the fuel tank through the FAA, the airport board asked commissioners to consider matching their funds toward the purchase of the tank, which would mean about $45,000 in county funds.

Additionally, with all the hangar space full and demand high for spaces, board members believe this may be a good time to expand the number of hangar spaces available. There are currently 37 airplanes being housed at the county airport.

Tim O’Hara told commissioners in order to put in a 10 hangar building, because of the required paving distance from current paving the project would cost $600,000, which is too exorbitant for the board.

By moving the location closer, an area where there are currently tie-down spaces, they would have room for a six-airplane hangar building. It would require less paving and the estimated would be about $275,000.

Of the six new spaces, the board members indicated they already have requests for four of them. The rent in the other hangars are $150 per month, but these spaces would be $200 per month. Rent for hangar space brings in the most money for the airport.

The board asked the commissioners to consider assisting them with this project as well with a match of about $150,000. Commissioners agreed to take the projects under advisement and let them know.

When asked about by Commissioner Mike Halleck about how much the airport is being used for corporations and technology businesses as opposed to hobby pilots, he was told mostly hobby pilots. Although they would like to expand the airport runway, which is currently 3,500 feet, such projects are reportedly not a priority with the FAA right now. The airport has space at the end of the current runway to expand up to 4,500 feet.

Finally, the board members announced one of the board members will be moving to Florida soon and they are seeking someone for the board with aviation experience and knowledge.

djohnson@mojonews.com