FedDev Ontario provides $3.5M for community airports
Three Ontario airports will share in more than $3 million in funding, thanks to the federal government.
On August 13, Mélanie Joly, the minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario announced non-repayable contributions totalling over $3.5 million for three regional southwestern Ontario airports: Sarnia Chris Hadfield Airport, St. Thomas Municipal Airport and Tillsonburg Regional Airport.
The Sarnia Chris Hadfield Airport has served the Sarnia-Lambton community for more than 60 years. FedDev Ontario’s $1.9-million non-repayable investment will support the construction of a new hangar and critical upgrades including plexi-glass barriers, sanitization stations, signage and equipment to assist in re-establishing regional scheduled service.
The airport is named after astronaut Chris Hadfield and serves Sarnia and Lambton County. It is classified as an airport of entry into Canada supported by Canadian Border Services Agency. Prior to the pandemic, the airport had scheduled airline service and currently services corporate, private and emergency service aircraft operators, as well as a private flight-training facility.
St. Thomas Municipal Airport, owned and operated by the Corporation of the City of St. Thomas, is a key municipal air facility providing complete service to a range of customers, including pilots and military aircraft. A $1.1-million non-repayable FedDev Ontario investment will improve airport operations through the construction of 8,000 square-meters of ramp space to accommodate the parking, fueling and servicing of regional aircraft. The project will facilitate the growth of industrial clients at the airport and throughout the region.
St. Thomas Airport serves industry and the public and has the capacity to handle small jets as well as the largest aircraft used by the Canadian Armed Forces with access to flight school and training facilities, aircraft maintenance and repair facilities and customs and immigration services.
Tillsonburg Regional Airport, owned and operated by the Town of Tillsonburg, is Oxford County's only paved runway and welcomes a variety of aircraft. This $535,000-non-repayable FedDev Ontario investment will support the expansion of the airport’s apron where aircraft are parked and maintained, extend its taxiway, the construction of access roads and perimeter fencing.
The facility is also home to the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association and the Tillsonburg Flying School.
“I am pleased to recognize the support of the Government of Canada for the valuable Regional Air Transportation Initiative funding through FedDev Ontario,” said Tillsonburg Mayor Stephen Molnar. “This contribution will assist with our ongoing investment to ensure future sustainable growth at the Tillsonburg Regional Airport. In our expanding focus on regional connectivity, safety and future economic development we remain committed as a community to work with our partners to ensure our aggressive mandate is realized. This investment is important in ensuring our goals are realized.”
The investments will help create and maintain jobs in the Tillsonburg, Sarnia and St. Thomas regions.
Featured image: The Sarnia Chris Hadfield Airport terminal. (Sarnia Chris Hadfield Airport)