Luzerne County is reallocating nearly $1.1 million in federal COVID-19 recovery funds for the county project at the Wilkes-Barre/Wyoming Valley Airport in Forty Fort and Wyoming.

County council unanimously voted Tuesday to reallocate federal American Rescue Plan Act funds for the airport project, increasing the ARPA allocation for the project to $9.4 million. The cost of the project for various improvements at the airport was $12.4 million when it started June 1.

The addition of nearly $1.1 million in ARPA funds will cover the cost of a change order that will address unforeseen subsurface soil conditions that require additional stabilization measures for the construction of T-hangars.

The county is able to reallocate the ARPA funds by de-obligating $406,104 earmarked for the Lower Demunds Road paving project in Dallas Twp. and $661,133 earmarked for countywide stormwater improvements. The Lower Demunds Road project was completed underbudget, and the county reduced the cost of the stormwater improvements after bidding the last phase of that project.

The airport project has had strong bipartisan support on council, and county officials at Tuesday’s meeting stressed the importance of finishing the project by the end of the year. The federal deadline to spend all ARPA funds is Dec. 31.

Planning for the airport improvements dates back to 2022 after the county received $113 million from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to distribute to applicants seeking COVID-19 recovery funding.

The improvements include the construction of two additional 12-unit aircraft storage T-hangar structures, a new Jet A fuel system, an automated weather observing system, a helicopter fueling pad, removal of an older underground jet fuel tank, storm water management controls and the addition of approximately 14,000 square yards of new impervious pavement and associated taxiways.

The construction area involves 27 acres of the 95-acre airport property. Luzerne County owns the airport and Valley Aviation Inc. has leased and operated the airport since 2006.

The airport dates back 1929 and is primarily used to fly smaller propellor planes for recreation, flight training and commuting.

“That airport has been neglected, and we have made substantial grant applications to the Bureau of Aviation,” County Manager Romilda Crocamo said. “Unfortunately, because of the staffing challenges, we were behind in maintaining that airport, just like we were behind in maintaining our bridges and our roads.”

The airport improvements will help boost county revenue through rental fees and payments based on a portion fuel pumped at the airport and will also generate economic development in the area, county officials have said.

“These T hangars will generate revenue through rent, and when, obviously, when the individuals come in, they will purchase fuel, they will visit the local restaurants, they may have overnight hotel stays,” said Michele Sparich, head of the operational services division.

Crocamo said the improvements will help make the airport an attraction that will be an alterative for businessmen who fly into the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport in Pittston Twp. Councilwoman Denise Williams noted medevac and state police helicopters use the Wilkes-Barre/Wyoming Valley Airport.

“And also there’s a pilot school there, which is one of the top pilot schools in the entire state I believe,” Councilman John Lombardo said.

Councilman Harry Haas, who has been critical of many ARPA allocations, called the airport “a gem” and said the project there is a solid investment. Councilwoman Joanna Bryn Smith noted the airport is also home to a Civil Air Patrol squadron.

“This project is probably one of the best things that’ll happen on the West Side. This will bring people in. There’s also big companies that want to fly in. They don’t want to fly into Avoca,” Councilman Steve Coslett said, explaining “you don’t have to go through gates” at the Wilkes-Barre/Wyoming Valley Airport.

Council also voted Tuesday to extend the completion dates for two other projects receiving ARPA funds. Larksville received a $400,000 ARPA award for a storm and sewer project, and the project completion date is now Oct. 1. Harveys Lake received a $850,000 ARPA award for a public safety support building, and the project completion date is now Nov. 30.

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