> Members of the current Columbiana County Airport Authority board of directors are standing on the airport taxiway on County Airport Road this week (front from left) Tim Ohara, John Sayle, Joe Diloreto, (back from left) Frank Ungaro, Dan Thompson, Mike Diloreto and Jim Pusateri.
EAST LIVERPOOL – Nestled in the hills of Madison Township northwest of East Liverpool, Columbiana County Airport provides services to local aviation enthusiasts and others visiting Columbiana County. However, this wasn’t the first time the FAA has provided money for improvements to the county airport.
This year, the Columbiana County Airport Authority will receive US $ 620,000 from the Federal Aviation Administration of the US Department of Transportation to refurbish approximately 2,000 feet of existing Taxiway A and maintain the structural integrity of the airport. The fuel tanks must be moved before any paving work so that the airport complies with FFA regulations. Sayle said when he came there was really little and no one serving the airport. He was from New York City and rented a room on his plane for $ 15. Over the years they have rebuilt the whole thing.
John Sayle is retiring at the age of 42 after being appointed to the board in 1979, and Joe Diloreto has served on the board for more than 20 years. But the runway and airport facilities weren’t always what they are today, and that’s thanks in part to members of the Columbiana County Airport Authority’s board of directors, including two members who retire this June with more than 60 years of combined experience to step.
Sayle said the state of Ohio bought the airport in 1965 and it was just a strip of grass. It was paved in 1968. “This is a good airport authority,” said Sayle, “because everyone is a pilot. Everyone cares about the airport … a hardworking group. We have it in top shape. “
“The airport is important to Columbiana County,” said Sayle. “We’re always looking for business development … people who want to do business don’t come on the bus, they fly in. If you don’t have an airport, you’re not even a contender for the companies looking “to find a place.” Sayle said she had received $ 3.86 million in funding for construction and funding in the years through 2013 maintenance of the airport and an additional grant has been awarded almost every year for the past eight years. He believes they have spent about $ 5 million on the facilities over the years, with commissioners sometimes providing extra funding for the grants they receive. The airport cost only $ 216,000 to build at the time, 50 percent of which was paid for by the state of Ohio and the rest by the county. The board members remember a time when there was no heating in the airport building and the windows were boarded up.
News highlights business
- County Airport officials will use $ 620,000 in federal funds | News, sports, jobs
- Check out all the news and articles from the business news updates.
Disclaimer: If you need to update / edit / remove these messages or this article, please contact our support team.
