North Bay Business Journal -- Santa Rosa airport gets final grant for airport expansion
Runway expansion to be done mid-October
By Maja Wood
Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport received a $932,714 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, the last of three grants the airport was seeking to complete the runway-expansion project, officials said Wednesday.
"That's great news, and we're right on schedule with the project," said Gina Stocker, marketing specialist for the airport.
The runway expansion should be done by mid-October. The most important is adding 885 feet of pavement to the main runway to make it 6,000 feet long, the length needed for regional jet service. Once that is completed, the airport hopes to attract more airlines. Right now, Alaska Airlines is the sole commercial airline serving Sonoma County.
The entire airport project, which includes several other alterations, is scheduled to be completed in November. Total cost is $53.8 million, 90 percent of which was federally funded.
Airport Manager Jon Stout is attending the World Routes conference in Chicago and meeting with industry representatives to discuss future airline service.
"The completion of this project will mean big things for Sonoma County and our region," said Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, who was instrumental in securing government funding for the project. "Having an airport that's a short drive away, and that can accommodate travel to and from major inland airports, will attract more tourists and businesses to our area. That's an enormous economic win."
The project will help make Sonoma County more attractive to commerce because businesses will be able to more easily get back and forth from major inland city, and fly customers or cargo in and out with greater ease.
Tourism could also see a boost as the project will make it easier for people around the country to get to Sonoma County.
The project will also improve safety by separating two runways that currently end at the same location. Creating two separate endpoints for the runways will help eliminate pilot confusion.