Life After BRAC

Rickenbacker International Airport will get federal money to renovate airplane hangars and make other improvements to lure business to the former military base, Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta announced during a visit to the airport Friday.

The airport is one of several Mineta said would share in funds made available through a program that helps make improvements to former military facilities. According to Mineta, Rickenbacker will receive grants from the Department of Transportation's Military Airport Program for the next three years.

The airport will use the grant to renovate three airport hangars into space more appealing to possible tenants. The work includes new and enhanced plumbing, heating, wiring and insulation. This funding will also help build a 48,000 square foot multi-use warehouse that would allow smaller companies to get "in on the action" at Rickenbacker without having to rent an entire hangar, Mineta said.

"Transportation investments at Rickenbacker are coming together to create a very attractive home for business in central Ohio and creating economic prosperity for this region," Mineta said. Rickenbacker currently employs more than 6,500 Ohio residents and is responsible for more than $500 million in economic activity.

"This airfield has come a long way since 1980 when the Air Force pulled out," Mineta said. "Rickenbacker Airport is proof-positive that there is life after base closings."

During his visit to Columbus, Mineta also announced three airports in addition to Rickenbacker that were selected to participate in the program starting this year; Williams Gateway Airport in Mesa, Cecil Field in Jacksonville, and Guam International Airport in Agana, Guam.

This year $34 million will be available through the Military Airport Program to be shared between the four new airports added to the list and the eleven others already participating in the program.

FMI: www.dot.gov/affairs/070105MAP.htm