On Thursday and Friday evenings, October 25 and 26, the Benton County Airport board and administrators welcomed the public to discuss expansion and improvements. Attendees watched a video about the airport and Benton County Mayor Brett Lashlee explained the grants currently being offered to the airport.
“Our airport qualifies for federal and state grants to the tune of approximately $500,000. Their policies dictate we are nearing a use it or lose it deadline and when it’s at a 95-1 cost ratio of dollars to our county, we really should be utilizing those grants to enhancing, upgrading, and expanding our airport to the fullest extent possible for the citizens,” Lashlee explained.
He continued, “Our five-year Airport Layout Plan, that the state requires of us, reflects our desire as a government to show them we are serious in our desires to have those grants awarded to us.”
Lashlee said the purpose of the Open House meetings was to share the airport board’s vision with the citizens and get firsthand feedback from them, especially those living nearest to the airport.
He said, “We don’t wish to develop plans without our citizens input.”
Also on-hand to answer questions were Benton County Airport Manager, Leonard Pierpoint, board members, Eldon Wimberly and Dr. James Fisette, and Darrell Berry.
Lashlee finished with, “The two meetings were very successful and beneficial and we look forward to more as our airport grows in the future.”
