The Adams County Board of Commissioners anticipates receipt of funds through the Federal Aviation Administration, Ohio Department of Transportation, Office of Aviation, State of Ohio for improvement at the Alexander Salamon Airport. It is anticipated that the proposed project will be accomplished over a period of up to five years. Qualified design professional interested in being considered for this work are invited to submit a State of Qualifications to provide professional engineering and planning services. Click here for full details.
On Tuesday, March 4, 2025, the Ohio Aviation Association testified in support of the transportation budget as HB 54 (Stewart) in the Senate Transportation Committee.
Tony Fiore, Executive Director of the OAA, provided testimony citing the existing funding in the transportation budget, HB 54, and the general operating budget, HB 96 (see chart above). Mr. Fiore asked the committee to keep the House adopted amendment that would require all aviation fuel tax collected by the state go back into airport infrastructure projects.
The provision, found in Section 4561.03, creates the Ohio Airport improvement fund in the state treasury. The fund shall consist of money appropriated to it by the general assembly and transfers from the petroleum activity tax fund. It also states that the fund shall be used by the office of aviation to support the Ohio airport improvement program that provides financial support to publicly owned-public use airports in Ohio. In addition, all revenue from the tax as measured by calculated gross receipts derived from the sale of motor fuel used exclusively in the operation of aircraft shall be used to fund airport improvements.
The Senate is expected to adopt changes to HB 54 and pass it out of the committee and full Senate next week. Any differences in the House and Senate version will be worked out in a conference committee. The final version is expected to be considered and passed by both the House and Senate before the end of March and sent to Governor DeWine for his signature before April 1, 2025.
Click here for a copy of the OAA Senate testimony.
Click here to view a video recording of the Senate hearing. The OAA testimony begins at 1:14:14 and runs through 1:27:55.
Click here for a copy of the OAA House testimony.
Click here to view a video recording of the House hearing. The OAA testimony begins at the start of the hearing through minute 22:33.
On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, the Ohio House passed the Governor’s proposed transportation budget as HB 54 (Stewart). The vote was 97-0.
Tony Fiore, Executive Director of the OAA, provided proponent testimony on February 12, 2025 in the House Transportation Committee. Fiore cited the existing funding in the transportation budget, HB 54, and the general operating budget, HB 96 (see chart above). Mr. Fiore provided the committee with a proposed amendment that would require all aviation fuel tax collected by the state go back into airport infrastructure projects.
The House adopted the amendment prior to HB 54 being voted out of the House. The provision, found in Section 4561.03, creates the Ohio Airport improvement fund in the state treasury. The fund shall consist of money appropriated to it by the general assembly and transfers from the petroleum activity tax fund. It also states that the fund shall be used by the office of aviation to support the Ohio airport improvement program that provides financial support to publicly owned-public use airports in Ohio. In addition, all revenue from the tax as measured by calculated gross receipts derived from the sale of motor fuel used exclusively in the operation of aircraft shall be used to fund airport improvements.
Click here for a copy of the OAA testimony.
Click here to view a video recording of the hearing. The OAA testimony begins at the start of the hearing through minute 22:33.
House Finance Committee Chair Brian Stewart (R-Ashville) said the plan is to adopt the Operating budget amendments are due on Friday, March 14, Stewart said, noting his goal is for the budget to pass on the House floor on Wednesday, April 9.
The Ohio Aviation Association relies heavily on a Board of Directors to provide guidance and hands-on effort at events, webinars, etc. There will be a few board positions available for a 3-year term beginning at the OAA Annual Conference May 6-8, 2025. If you would like to be considered for an open Director position on the Board, please complete the application before April 1, 2025 and submit it to Tony Fiore, OAA Executive Director at tony@ohioaviation.organd Lisa Dalpiaz, with the Akron-Canton Airport and Chair of the OAA Administration and Finance Committee at ldalpiaz@akroncantonairport.com.
Click here for more information and to to apply.
The Ohio Aviation Association is happy to announce that the Federal Aviation Administration-Area District Office in Detroit will be scheduling individual airport meetings at the annual conference again this year. But don’t delay.
Step 1 – Register for the annual conference (see links above)
Step 2 – E-mail the FAA-ADO at the following address to schedule a time during the conference May 6-8, 2025: 9ACEDETADOMailI@faa.gov.
We cannot wait to see you in a few months at the conference. We appreciate the FAA-ADO staff for taking the time to provide this convenient way to schedule time with airports during the conference.
On February 12, 2025, Tony Fiore, Executive Director of the Ohio Aviation Association provided proponent testimony in the Ohio House Transportation Committee on the Ohio House introduced the Governor’s proposed transportation budget as HB 54 (Stewart).
Mr. Fiore cited the existing funding in the transportation budget, HB 54, and the general operating budget, HB 96.
ALI 777471 – Airport Improvements – State – appropriates $10 million in each fiscal year (no change)
ALI 777472 – Aviation Improvements – Federal – This is flat funded at $405,000 in each fiscal year.
ALI 777475 – Aviation Administration has a modest increase in FY26 to $6,973,124 and $7,106,246 in FY27.
ALI 777615 – County Airport Maintenance – $620,000 in FY26 and $620,000 in FY27.
ALI 772456 – Unmanned Aerial Systems Center – appropriates $500,000 in FY26 and $500,000 in FY27. This is a 102% increase from FY25.
ALI 777477 – Aviation Infrastructure Bank – State DOT – appropriates $2.4 million in each fiscal year. This is flat funded from the current fiscal year.
Mr. Fiore provided the committee with a proposed amendment that would require all aviation fuel tax collected by the state go back into airport infrastructure projects.
House Finance Committee Chair Brian Stewart (R-Ashville) said the plan is to adopt the transportation budget sub bill on Tuesday, Feb. 18. Operating budget amendments are due on Friday, March 14, Stewart said, noting his goal is for the budget to pass on the House floor on Wednesday, April 9.
OAA members: Visit the members only page for a more detailed analysis of the budget provisions.
President Donald J. Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance were officially sworn into office on Monday, January 20, 2025. Among many Executive Orders one in particular entitled "Unleashing American Energy" prescribed limitations on disbursements of Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funds. It directed federal agencies to "immediately pause the disbursement of funds" from the IRA and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
On Wednesday, January 22, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) clarified that the pause "only applies to funds supporting programs, projects or activities that may be implicated by the policy established in Section 2 of the order." This includes funding related to climate mitigation and incentives for electric vehicle charging - not road, bridge or airport projects.
On January 27, 2025, OMB released a memorandum further detailing the temporary pause of agency grant, loan, and other financial assistance programs. The temporary pause was intended to give the Administration time to review agency programs and determine the best uses of the funding of those programs consistent with the law and the President's priorities. All agencies were instructed to submit to OMB detailed information on any programs, projects or activities subject to the pause no later than February 10, 2025. They subsequently asked for the information requested by February 7, 2025.
On January 29, 2025 the original OMB memo had been rescinded. Therefore, existing funding for airport improvement projects should not be affected. But, this does mean the new administration will be scrutinizing funding through all agencies in the coming months.
Those of us who are "The" Ohio State University Buckeye fans could not be more proud of the season our football coaches and players had this year. Through adversity and perseverance our beloved Buckeyes came out on top as National Champions.
But these teams don't play to empty stadiums. They play for fans both far and wide across the state, country and even those traveling in from other parts of the world. The only way that is possible is with our state and nation's vast network of airports. Whether traveling on a commercial airline, business aviation or personal aircraft our airports are always ready to serve the traveling public. That level of service involves thousands of hard working employees across the state at our 104 public-owned, public use airports.
One of the primary focuses of the Ohio Aviation Association is to work with our state elected officials on airport infrastructure funding and policies to enhance the traveling publics experience around the state. We also work with the staff in the ODOT-Office of Aviation and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to fund projects that protect pilots and passengers and provide world-class airports. So whether its college or professional football as well as other sports the path to championships run through both roads and runways.
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