The Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission (OAC) recently approved state funding totaling $1.3 million for several airport projects across the state as part of its Capital Improvement Program. 
Muskogee’s Davis Field is set to receive a $500,000 CIP grant from the Aeronautics Commission to replace the airport’s existing terminal building at a cost $1,135,800. The city of Muskogee will provide $635,800 in matching funds for the project.
OAC Director Victor Bird said that making sure public airports meet the needs of businesses using their airports and that they are safe, are priorities for the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission. “Businesses these days come calling on an aircraft, not a bus," said Bird. "This terminal, along with its runway, will make the airport Muskogee’s front door to the world.”
Aeronautics Commission officials point to the existing terminal’s age and current condition as reasons for a new terminal. The new, larger facility will provide many of the amenities that are commonly found in today’s airport terminals such as a public reception area; men’s and women’s rest rooms; administrative offices; conference room for public use; pilot flight planning and weather briefing area; and a kitchen or vending area.
The Commission approved a $400,000 CIP grant for the city of Perry that will help pay for the rehabilitation of the runway at Perry Municipal Airport. The city will provide $44,444 in matching funds for the rehabilitation project.
State officials said the runway surface is currently experiencing some cracking due to a combination of age and weathering and will need an overlay to extend the life of the pavement. Perry City Manager Jon Cameron said the grant from the Aeronautics Commission, coupled with a previous grant award from the FAA, will allow the City of Perry to complete the runway resurfacing as one project.
The city of Guymon will also be getting a $400,000 grant from the Commission that will be used to rehabilitate taxiways, taxilanes and aprons within the T-hangar area at Guymon Regional Airport. The city’s share of the entire project is $44,444.
Aviation officials cite significant deterioration of the pavements as a reason for the rehabilitation project. If not corrected soon, aircraft run a greater risk of being damaged by loose gravel and rocks produced by the distressed pavements, they said.
The CIP grants are part of the Commission’s Capital Improvement Program which provides funding to Oklahoma airports for various infrastructure needs, such as runway maintenance and construction; installation of navigational aids; land purchases; terminal improvements; and installation and repair of airfield lights and signage.
