Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Hobby Field Airport in Creswell will receive about $3.3 million in federal funds to reconstruct its runway as well as rebuild its runway lighting and airfield guidance signs.
“Small community airports like Hobby Field in Creswell play a key role in the quality of life in rural communities, creating jobs and economic activity by providing recreation opportunities like skydiving as well as supporting flight instruction and aircraft maintenance,” Wyden said. “I’m glad this general aviation airport in Lane County has earned this investment to modernize its infrastructure, and I’ll keep working to provide similar resources for airports large and small throughout Oregon.”
“Industries and businesses that serve rural communities need air access to create jobs and economic development opportunities,” Merkley said. “I am pleased that Hobby Field Airport will receive federal resources to improve the safety of their runways and ensure local businesses have that critical air service, and I will keep fighting for investments that benefit small airports like Creswell and other local economies across the state of Oregon.”
The nearly $3.3 million supplemental discretionary grant from the Federal Aviation Administration is slotted for allocation as follows: $1.96 million for runway reconstruction; $1.28 million for runway lighting reconstruction; and $55,556 for reconstruction of airfield guidance signs.
“The City of Creswell Airport is very excited to receive this grant,” said Shelley Humble, Airport Manager, City of Creswell Hobby Field Airport. “The airport’s runway is 34 years old and it is critical to complete this rehabilitation project. Creswell Airport is a major component of the Oregon’s Aviation cluster linking travel throughout the Willamette Valley. Completion of this project will allow the airport to continue as one of the busiest general aviation airports in Oregon.”