Washington State Budget provides $5 Million in Additional CARB Funding

Governor Feguson signed the state budget on May 20th appropriating $5 million in additional funds for the Community Aviation Revitalization Board (CARB) loan program. The CARB loan program provides low interest loans for capital projects at public use airports that generate revenue or reduce costs to make airports more self-sustainable.

CARB offers loans up to $1.2 million at a fixed 2% interest rate. Loans can be up to 20 years with an optional 3-year loan repayment deferral period. To date, CARB has funded 23 projects for $14.5 million. Projects have included hangars, fueling facilities, airport utility infrastructure, a multipurpose building that included a restaurant, an aviation workforce training facility, acquisition of an existing terminal building, and airport equipment. Over 78% of the projects have been successfully completed. The Community Aviation Revitalization Board (CARB) is meeting in October to award funds and is accepting applications. The initial deadline for applications is Friday, October 19, 2025.

The loan application and other loan program information is also posted on WSDOT Aviation’s website, https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/aviation/community-aviation-revitalization-board-carb-loan-program

Kim Stevens

Kim Stevens is the publisher of State Aviation Journal, which he founded in 2009. A longtime commercial-rated pilot, he was introduced to state aviation in 1992 as Director of the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics, later serving as Deputy Division Director for the Arizona Department of Transportation's Aeronautics Division. From 2013 to 2018, he was Director of Communications and Operations for the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) in Washington, D.C. Relocating to North Carolina, Kim worked for the Raleigh-Durham International Airport for two years and now concentrates solely on the Journal. Prior to his aviation career, Kim spent a decade in the newspaper and magazine business.