HomeMy WebLinkAbout20240752.tiffMarch 28, 2024
OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PHONE: 970-400-4200
FAX: 970-336-7233
1150 O STREET
P.O. BOX 758
GREELEY, CO 80632
The Honorable Senator Michael Bennet
261 Russell Senate Building
Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable Senator John Hickenlooper
374 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet,
I am writing today to express my support for Congressionally Directed Spending to support the
Greeley -Weld County Airport Bravo and Echo (B&E) complex. We would like to thank the senators
for their support in our request from Representative Caraveo's office last year for this same project.
The funding from FY24 will be utilized towards a shovel ready construction design of the complex.
The Greeley -Weld County Airport is a general aviation airport that serves Greeley, Northern Colorado,
and much of the front range. In the most recent economic study, the airport contributed $125 million
in economic impact to the community and accounted for over four hundred jobs in the area. The airport
provides better connectivity, emergency services, business generation, training opportunities, and
further economic benefits for the surrounding region. Greeley -Weld County Airport also serves the
needs of the next generation of pilots by providing a large airport complex for student pilots to practice.
In fact, many of the Denver metro area flight schools utilize the Greeley -Weld County Airport for
much of their training to avoid the congestion issues found down south. The airport is currently home
to two of its own flight schools as well as fourteen other aeronautical service businesses. As part of our
efforts to continue providing safe and efficient aeronautical services to our community, we have
identified the need for a new taxiway complex (B&E).
The B&E complex would support increased operational efficiency and capabilities for the airport by
allowing for alternative access to our runway systems. The project would open new areas for hangar
development, alleviating the shortage of current buildable area on the airfield. In the design, the airport
has identified areas for future manufacturing sites, with a focus on attracting companies in the
alternatively powered aircraft sector. The funding request for this project is $5,000,000.00 to begin
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2024-0752
Letter to Senators
Page Two
the construction of the first phase of the complex. The funding will result in a direct and immediate
increase in employment, economic output, and sustainable aeronautical growth for the community,
region, and state. Please consider this project as part of your 2025 Congressionally Directed Spending
program.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Kevin D. Ross
Chair, Weld County Board of Commissioners
Board Member, Greeley -Weld County Airport Authority
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