News

Oklahoma City Airport Trust Receives
$2 Million Grant for Hangar Expansion at WRWA

Improvements Support Continued Industry and Job Growth in State

OKLAHOMA CITY, October 11, 2017 – The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded a $2 million public works grant to the Oklahoma City Airport Trust to expand and improve two hangars located at Will Rogers World Airport (WRWA).
The hangar expansions will increase capacity and the ability to conduct maintenance, repair and overhaul on newer, larger aircraft. These improvements meet the changing industry standards for the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) market and will be instrumental in attracting and maintaining commercial aviation and defense business in the region.
Grants awarded by the EDA Public Works Program are for the specific purpose of promoting regional economic growth and strengthening a region’s ability to compete in the global market. The Trust’s grant was awarded through a competitive, merit-based process.
“President Trump has been clear on the need to renew and rebuild American infrastructure from coast to coast,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “The improvements at the Will Rogers World Airport will provide a boost for local economy allowing for new opportunities and further business development in Oklahoma City.”
The MRO market at WRWA is an essential part of the state’s aviation and aerospace sector. It supports hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars in annual spending. The EDA grant provides a boost to the state’s aviation industry and encourages economic development.
“Oklahoma has a legacy of aerospace innovation and success dating back more than 100 years. Our state is home to more than 1,100 aerospace entities, with more than 200,000 people employed in the industry,” said Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin. “We learned from the recent Oklahoma Aviation & Aerospace Economic Impact Study that this industry has grown 250 percent in the past 20 years. The renovations made possible by this grant will help Oklahoma maintain its place as an industry leader that continues to attract aerospace companies and talent for years to come.”
The two hangars slated for expansion, Hangar 1 and 1C, were built over 35 years ago and cannot accommodate many of the larger aircraft utilized by the commercial airline industry. The estimated cost for the improvements is $4 million. The Airport Trust will fund the remaining $2 million.
This project is just one of several at WRWA that are promoting an entrepreneurial environment.
“We recognize that Will Rogers World Airport is a tremendous asset for the City of Oklahoma City and the
state of Oklahoma,” says Oklahoma City Councilman and Airport Trust Chairman, Larry McAtee. “Projects such as this, along with the development of Lariat Landing and the terminal expansion, favorably position us for development and economic growth.”
The Airport Trust anticipates bidding the project in spring of 2018 with construction beginning later in the summer.