By KEN de la BASTIDE, Kokomo Tribune enterprise editor
ken.delabastide@kokomotribune.com
PERU - "A decade-long dream" at the Grissom Aeroplex became a reality with the expansion of the facility to be able to offer general aviation services.
The Miami County Economic Development Authority approved a contract on Wednesday with Montgomery Aviation to serve as the fixed base operator for the civilian airport operations.
Dan Montgomery, president of Montgomery Aviation, said the hope is to open the airport for general aviation use starting March 1.
"It has been our dream to see civil aviation become a reality," said Jim Clary, MCEDA board member. "This is a unique facility. It creates economic development in our community that would not be otherwise possible."
Clary said people will look back and view the signing of the five-year contract as a significant milestone in the development of the Grissom Aeroplex.
James Tidd, executive director of MCEDA, said the fixed base operator takes responsibility for the landing of private aircraft at the former U.S. Air Force base.
Required services will include selling of fuel, oil and transit aircraft services, a waiting room, pilot's lounge and provide aircraft maintenance.
Montgomery Aviation will operate the general aviation wing of the airport operation from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on a daily basis.
Additional services could include air charter and taxi, flight training and aircraft sales.
Tidd said MCEDA will provide a hangar and pay for utility costs and provide $140,000 to construct a fuel storage facility. He said the $140,000 will be repaid during the life of the contract.
Montgomery Aviation currently provides similar services at Indianapolis Executive and Frankfort Municipal airports.
"This will have a great impact for our region," Tidd said of the opening of the complex to general aviation. "This is the first step in becoming a regional airport."
Montgomery said this means another airport was opening in Indiana at a time when others are being forced to close around the United States.
"We're excited about making this work," he said. "We had been talking with [James] Tidd about economic growth in the area. This area was ripe for the picking."
Montgomery said Grissom has the longest runway in Indiana and the hope is that companies will build their own hangars on the site.
The company will start with five employees with future plans to add several more positions.
"We want to grow the airport," he said. "We're trying to help economic development. This is already considered a shovel ready site."
Montgomery said he hopes the airport at the Grissom Aeroplex will compliment what services are available at the Kokomo and Peru municipal airports.
"We're going after the bigger companies," he said. "We're running a business and not looking to force other airports to close."
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