Boone County Regional Airport Executive Director Judy McCutcheon welcomed the crowd and thanked everyone for their support.
“Fifteen years ago, we put this capital improvement project on our plan for the airport. We knew we wouldn’t find the money, and there was no money to be had. We finally saved up enough that we planned to do a remodel in 2021. Our architects had been here twice, and we knew all we could afford was a facelift on the outside and a new HVAC system. That was it. We thought we had no other choice.”
Then, in 2021, a funding opportunity for the Airport terminal project became available. $1 billion a year was available for five years. McCutcheon said, “Why not us?”
She applied for it and was turned down for three years. “No General Aviation Airports were getting this money. It was only going to the ‘big boys.’ Then we got a call from Senator Boozman’s office congratulating us for the seven million dollars we had been awarded.”
Chairman of the Board, Dr. Lad Brooks, said, “It’s hard to believe this day is here. We’ve been dreaming about it for years. We often hear that the airport is the community's front door.”
He told the story of the 40 female pilots who recently spent time at the airport during a cross-country race. “Right after one of the ladies landed, she was gushing about our airport and told me our area was so beautiful. It reminded her of Switzerland. We tend to take it for granted.”
Brooks reminded the crowd that the current building is 66 years old. “I doubt those board members thought we’d still use the building 66 years later.”
“We are the only general aviation airport that received this funding. Judy truly makes these things happen. We can’t say enough good things about her.”
“The total amount of current projects is $9.8 million. The terminal, 10 new enclosed hangars on the south end of the field, and the runway rehab project. “We are going before the State Airport Commission tomorrow, and if everything works out, we will have about $280,000 out of pocket for all of these projects. This is an asset that goes to our County and City. It’s truly amazing,” Brooks said.
Mayor Jerry Jackson said, “We have thousands of people come to Harrison every year, and they’ve been walking through that ‘front door’, but they aren’t really wowed with that front door. This board consists mostly of pilots, and all of them are good businesspeople. When you put that board with that Razorback fan, Judy McCutcheon, great things will happen.”
“When I became mayor, Judy asked me if the city would help if there were something the county couldn’t do. I have never had to. Thank you, Judge Robert Hathaway, for doing what you do for the airport,” Jackson said.
Hathaway said, “I’m happy to be here. I’ve never had to step in because this board has always had it under control. Seeing City Hall and things happening here at the Airport shows we are a County on the move!”
McCutcheon asked Davis Construction Project Manager Brian Warner when there would be a new terminal. He said, “Sixteen months.”
“You heard it here!” McCutcheon said.
Jerry Chisim, Director of the Arkansas Department of Aeronautics, was in attendance and said afterwards how proud he was of the airport. “Not only will you have this new terminal, but you also have a 6,000-foot runway capable of a lot. You are going to be a top-notch airport. I know your community supports this airport because I see Judy posting photos all the time on social media.”
