TAXI — An aircraft sat stationary, front, while another taxied on the Jefferson County Airpark’s taxiway, which Jefferson County Regional Airport Authority officials believe is due for an extension. -- Christopher Dacanay

WINTERSVILLE — Grounded for nine years, the Jefferson County Airpark’s plans for a parallel taxiway are finally taking off, with discretionary funding on the horizon.

During the Jefferson County Regional Airport Authority’s meeting Monday, an official with the airpark’s engineering consultant said the firm is finalizing a grant application to the Federal Aviation Administration for the taxiway project. Grant funds will cover design of the extension and its light fixtures.

“Once (that grant) gets approved, we can start design,” said Lance Wanamaker of Michael Baker International. “By the end of the year, if all goes well, we put it out to bid, and then next year, in 2026, we start construction of the taxiway extension to that end of the runway…”

Anticipated for the airport’s northwest end, the extension would run parallel to the runway and allow aircraft to safely taxi without impeding other aircraft using the runway. Wanamaker estimated that the extension will cost around $2 million.

The authority’s board voted to approve submitting the application to the FAA, once finalized, along with several necessary certifications that must be signed by the Jefferson County commissioners.

Board President Brandon Reese noted the authority’s previous pushes for the extension in 2016 and 2019 — with both efforts being turned down.

“Here we are now in 2025 with our third attempt, and we finally got discretionary money, and we got the approval for the design to do that extension. … That’s nine years that we’ve been working, and we finally get this $2 million to do that extension. It’s a testament to the hard work of this group and to Lance and the Baker people down there on all our efforts here.”

In its most recent Airport Capital Improvement Plan, the authority noted its desire to construct another taxiway extension to the runway’s southeast end by 2029.

In other business:

• The board heard that Geno Morelli, who was absent, has stated he will not renew his term on the board, which will expire before the June meeting. Those interested in the seat may submit a letter with their background and flight experience to the Jefferson County commissioners. Applicants need not be pilots.

• Wanamaker said Estherlee Fence Co. Inc. is expected to begin constructing the airpark’s wildlife fence May 5, starting around the terminal building. The board considered how the work, which includes removing the airpark’s current fence, could affect the Independence Day fireworks show. Wanamaker said it’s doubtful the project will be complete by July 4, but the front portion near the crowds may be finished.

• The board authorized paying an invoice to Michael Baker International for continued work on the fence project. The total invoice is $10,227.54, with a $511.37 local share after the FAA and Ohio Department of Transportation’s contributions.

• Wanamaker said his firm will speak more with the FAA to clarify the authority’s hopes of installing a supplemental solar array to feed the terminal building — not to sell power elsewhere. The desired location requires an FAA Form 7460-1 in order to undergo alterations.

• The board approved airport manager Brian Thaxton to purchase a New Holland tractor to replace its 2006 model, which has an inactive four-wheel drive, and notifying the commissioners of the expenditure. Offering more attachment capabilities, the new tractor will cost $56,984.46 after a $10,000 trade-in credit from the old vehicle and 21 percent discount for state pricing.

• The airport recorded 695 operations in March, Thaxton said. During that month, 53.7 gallons of jet fuel A and 487 gallons of avgas were sold. There is currently one empty Tee hangar and a two-person waiting list for box hangars.

• Thaxton said 2026 Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy’s flight into the airport for the Jefferson County Republican Party Lincoln Dinner with security detail “went really smoothly.”

• The board agreed that proposed upgrades to the airport’s fuel system are not worth the cost at present.

• Board member Geary Bates said all hangar leases should be made to stipulate that all hangar modifications must be cleared by the board. Reese noted that all recent leases have allowed the airport manager to approve modifications, and he said changes should be made on a lease-by-lease basis.

• Fred Jones, a Certified Flight Instructor-Instrument, introduced himself to the board and noted his availability for contracted flight instruction. A new Civil Air Patrol pilot and the son of a long-time airport user, Jones joins three other established instructors at the airpark.