The Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics, in collaboration with the City of Woodward, celebrated the groundbreaking for a new terminal at West Woodward Airport. The ceremony took place on Thursday, September 19, with distinguished speakers including State Representative Mike Dobrinski, Woodward Mayor Tom Fisher, and City Manager Shaun Barnett. State and local officials, alongside community leaders, gathered to mark this important advancement in Oklahoma’s aviation infrastructure.
“Today marks a significant milestone for the City of Woodward and West Woodward Airport,” said Tom Fisher, Woodward’s Mayor. “Thanks to our partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics and this investment by the Legislature, we are now able to construct these new facilities and continue to expand the airport’s economic development capabilities. These improvements will profoundly shape the future of our community and Northwest Oklahoma.”
Woodward City Manager Shaun Barnett highlighted the economic benefits of the project, stating, “The construction phase will allow local businesses to become subcontractors, bringing in new tax dollars. The completed terminal will create employment opportunities for our citizens and enhance the airport’s status as a regional hub for the Tri-State Region, potentially attracting new businesses to Woodward.”
“Airports are essential to the economic vitality of our communities,” said Grayson Ardies, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics. “The investment in the new terminal building at West Woodward Airport demonstrates the strong partnership between state and local governments, ensuring our aviation infrastructure is ready to support the growth of Oklahoma’s second largest industry.”
In addition to the $3.7 million investment in the terminal building, the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics has supported other key improvements at West Woodward Airport, including a 15,000 square-foot hangar with office space ($4.3M), a taxilane and roadway for a new 40-acre development area ($2.5M), and utility improvements to support the hangar, terminal, and development area ($580K). These comprehensive upgrades will position the airport as a hub for future growth and development in the region. The state funding for these projects was made possible by the Legislature through the investment in the Preserving Rural Economic Prosperity (PREP) program which was passed during Special Legislative Session in the fall of 2022.
This groundbreaking ceremony marks the beginning of a transformative chapter for Woodward, positioning the city and the airport as key players in Oklahoma’s growing aviation and aerospace sectors.
