Daviess County Airport launches $1.5 million runway project.

May 15, 2023

WASHINGTON, Indiana – Launching a “significant project to increase our capacity and regional competitiveness,” local elected officials and members of the Daviess County Airport Board were on hand May 16 to formerly inaugurate a $1.5 million project to lengthen the airport’s main runway.

When finished, the main runway will exceed 5,000 feet in length. According to airport manager Erica Burkemper, the present airport facilities can accommodate landing and takeoff of aircraft similar to a Cessna Citation Latitude or Citation CR650. The new runway can allow jets like a Gulfstream G150 or G300, Bombardier Learjets, and Dassault Falcons to land and take off safely, as well as heavier turboprop-driven aircraft.

“This project has been a long time in the planning and funding process,” said David Gray, President of the Daviess County Airport Board. “When completed, it will enable the airport to service larger commercial aircraft than previously.”

The $1. 5 million expansion is being funded by the Daviess County Council and available airport funds, according to Matt Meredith, a member of the Daviess County Council. No federal funds are involved in the project. The project is being engineered by aviation professionals in the Indianapolis office of Woolpert, a national architecture, engineering and geospatial (AEG) firm.

“In today’s commercial business world, many companies charter a jet to conduct business, and many business jets require a 5,000 ft. runway,” explained Meredith. “Our airport didn’t previously appear in key aviation character databases because of its old length, which will be updated when this project is completed.”

Executives using larger jets previously would have to land and be served at airports more than an hour away from the city of Washington. “This was not convenient for executives on a tight schedule,” said Meredith. “Having this new runway capacity will help with both attracting new companies and retaining the companies and organizations already operating in Daviess County.”

Officials taking part in the formal ground-breaking included Erica Burkemper, Daviess County Airport Manager; Matt Merold, Daviess County Board of Aviation Commissioners; Dave Gray, Daviess County Board of Aviation Commissioners; Nick Kowalkowski, project engineer/grant consultant; Matt Meredith, Daviess County Council; and Tony Duncheon of First Financial Bank, who serves as President of the Daviess County Council and vice-chairman of the Daviess County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC).

Also on hand from the airport board were Bernie Harner, Bob Wake, and Chris Kimball.  Former airport board president Steve Fowler also took part in the ceremony, as he previously played a significant role in moving the runway project.

“This new runway represents a critical improvement and important strategic advantage for regional economic development,” said Eric Lane, DCEDC chairman. “When the $84 million WestGate One microelectronics campus is complete and open, we project even greater use of this new Daviess County Airport capacity.”

To make the expansion possible, the county, working in conjunction with Washington and other elected officials, completed additional land acquisition and improvements for the runway and area around the airport.

“Many people here collaborated with the airport board to make this possible, including airport officials, Washington Mayor David Rhoads, the Daviess County Council and County Commissioners,” said Lane.

The 130-acre airport already is home to several aircraft. “We are continuously serving commercial and civil aircraft, and our lighted runway facilities are open 24/7,” said Burkemper. “As the airport manager, I look forward to getting the new runway finished, getting additional hangers built, generating more interest in aviation, and further developing the airport as a tool to bring more business to Daviess County.#     #     #

About the Daviess County Economic Development Corporation

As a private/public partnership for county-wide economic development, the Daviess County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) is working to build a foundation for a better tomorrow in the communities within Daviess County, Indiana.  A founding organization of the WestGate @ Crane Technology Park, DCEDC's mission is to improve the standard of living in Daviess County by expanding and diversifying the economic base, promoting quality employment opportunities, and enhancing the overall quality of place. For more information, please visit www.developdaviess.com

About the Daviess County Airport

The Daviess County Airport (DCY, elevation 473 feet above mean sea level), located about three miles north of the city of Washington, Indiana, provides services and comfortable facilities for all inbound and departing general aviation traffic to the area. The paved and lighted principal runway currently at the airport is 4,615 feet (1,406 meters), which is in process of being extended to more than 5,000 feet. The airport can accommodate business jets and most general aviation aircraft. The airport complex provides a passenger terminal, self-serve jet fuel, avgas, major/minor aircraft repairs, and aircraft rental for pilots. A hangar is available to house business jets overnight, and electrical service to all types of aircraft is provided through a large ground power unit.  For more information, please visit https://www.daviess.org/1180/Airport