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August 27, 2012

Construction begins on hangars at Williamsburg/Whitley Airport

The Times-Tribune

CORBIN — By Charlotte Underwood / Staff writer

Construction began Thursday to add seven new airplane hangars at the Williamsburg/Whitley County Airport, according to acting airport manager Doug Doughty.

The project is being funded by federal, state and local monies, according to airport board Chairman Keith Brashear.

“The federal portion will be 95 percent, and then state and local will each be responsible for two-and-a-half percent to make up the difference,” Brashear said. The cost for the entire project is estimated to be between $600,000 to $700,000.

The airport is in much need of more hangar space, according to Doughty.

“There are lots of people in the county and surrounding areas that would store their planes here if we had the room,” Doughty said, explaining the more airport traffic that could be attracted to the area the better.

The airport currently has one large community hangar. One side is always full and the other is rented out by MedEvac and EagleMed, according to Doughty.

The seven new hangars are already spoken for and should be filled as soon as construction is finished, according to Doughty.

The new hangars will be 50 feet wide and 14 feet tall, with 48-foot doors for easy access. The doors will be completely electrical for operational ease.

The addition of the new hangars will not only increase the airport’s traffic, but add some revenue as well as each hangar will garner anywhere from $100 to $150 in rent each month, according to Brashear.

“We have a long waiting list of people wanting to get into the hangars,” Doughty said, adding the project should be finished and the hangars ready by the end of September.

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