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Open Meeting in Springfield To Discuss Airport Funding

This afternoon in Springfield the Ohio Department of Transportation will host an open meeting aimed at helping Ohio's publicly owned airports make their dollars go farther. In 2012, the Federal Aviation Association gave nearly $26 million and ODOT provided close to $725,000 in grant to Ohio's 97  public airports.

The state agency says that money didn't address all the needs of those airports.

Springfield's Director of Economic Development, Tom Franzen, feels airports could receive even less funding in the future.

Franzen says, "budgets are tight for almost everything from the kitchen table at home to the conference table, we are all making decisions about how to get the most out of every dollar we spend. Airports are no different and the FAA and ODOT Aviation are looking to maybe make some changes in the way they are funding all the airports."

That's why Franzen says they'll use today's meeting to discuss how to grow more opportunities at Springfield's Beckley Airport.

He says, "there's plenty of room for growth. It has the capability of the general aviation side, the military side and the economic development on the industrial park side."

Franzen believes if they can successfully show the potential for growth, it will increase Springfield's chances for more funding in the coming year.