The Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics (ODAA) has signed off on more than $55 million in airport infrastructure upgrades and set aside $2 million for aerospace education initiatives. Eighteen projects were given the green light.
Among those projects winning approval, a new $3.3 million terminal at Ardmore Downtown Executive Airport and new hangars at airports in El Reno, Fairview, Perry, Skiatook, and Thomas. Major runway projects were also approved for Pauls Valley, Woodward, and Stroud.
The South Grand Lake Regional Airport in Ketchum will receive $6.3 million for a parallel taxiway to handle growing traffic. Shawnee Regional Airport will rebuild hangars and aprons damaged in the 2023 tornado with $1.6 million in funding. The Oklahoma Air and Space Port at Burns Flat will see $6.75 million in pavement repairs.
“These projects move forward to accelerate the growth of air transportation in Oklahoma,” said Grayson Ardies, ODAA executive director.
The aerospace education framework approved by Commissioners totals $2 million for classroom labs, training events, student competitions, internships, and the state’s aerospace education grant program, which now supports 102 programs across Oklahoma.
