BOCC eyes support for airport runway

Whitman County commissioners discussed funds for the Moscow-Pullman Airport runway project and received an update from the facilities director during a workshop session Monday, July 15.

Commissioner Art Swannack said he talked informally with Tony Bean, Moscow-Pullman Airport executive director, about funding the last part of the airport runway construction project. The project recently received a $24 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Swannack reported the airport is about $900,000 short of the funding required for the project.

He said the commissioners should expect a request for $230,000 to $250,000 from the airport.

“I support it,” Swannack said. “It’ll make a big difference for what they can do.”

Administrative Director Gary Petrovich said providing funds would be a good use of .09 economic development fund money. He said the City of Pullman hasn’t received much .09 funding recently.

“The City of Pullman and the City of Moscow have to share the costs of the airport expansion,” Petrovich said. “They’re caught between a rock and a hard place.”

The commissioners agreed to invite the airport to make a formal request for funding.

Swannack said the county has about $3 million available for capital improvement projects, which the airport runway project falls under. About $600,000 of the funds will be used for unfinished projects from the previous year.

The commissioners said funding $500,000 for the airport project would be plausible.

Brandy Dean, county facilities management director, said remodeling of the clerk’s office in the courthouse will be completed soon. The office has received new paint, flooring and electric panels.