OCEAN COUNTY – Federal funds will help supplement the cost of a new hangar at the Ocean County Airport, while Lakewood will receive funding for removing obstructions such as trees.
Ocean County will utilize around $300,000 from a federal grant to aid in funding the construction of the hangar building at the Berkeley Township based County airport.
“This new hangar, once completed will provide six units for storing larger general aviation aircraft,” said Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners Joseph H. Vicari, liaison to the airport.
“The demand for hangar space continues to increase. This will be the sixth hangar to be constructed at the airport,” Vicari added.
The federal funding comes from the Airport Infrastructure Grant program and was supported by Congressman Chris Smith. “The FAA grant will support important upgrades to hangar space at the Ocean County Airport,” the congressman said.
Vicari said that Ocean County appreciated Smith’s efforts in securing the funding for the upgrades at the airpark.
“The Ocean County Airport plays an integral role in Ocean County’s economy and also our public safety,” Vicari added.
Ocean County plans to go out to bid for the new hangar in February 2024 and work could begin in the spring. Construction is expected to take around two years.
The new $4 million hangar will be approximately 20,000 square feet and it will be a pre-engineered steel building on a concrete foundation.
“There is already interest from airplane owners for the future space,” Vicari said, noting that since 1991, about $42 million has been spent on various improvement projects at the Ocean County Airport.
Vicari added, “about $32 million has come from grants from the Federal Aviation Administration and the New Jersey Department of Transportation.”
Over the years, Vicari said, the county has constructed a crosswind runway at the airport, a new terminal building and a host of other improvements.
“Safety is paramount at the Ocean County Airport. The County staff and the fix based operator work in partnership to provide the safest and best facility possible,” he added.
The Ocean County Airport located on Route 530 covers 822 acres of the Robert J. Miller Airpark in Berkeley and Lacey townships. A precision approach facility, it features two runways and a heliport, and accommodates private planes, corporate jets, and emergency services aircraft.
Ocean County Airport is a public, FAA-designated General Aviation Airport located five miles southwest of Toms River Township. The airport covers 822 acres of the Robert J. Miller Airpark in Berkeley and Lacey Townships. The facility has two runways and a heliport, and accommodates private planes, corporate jets, and emergency services aircraft. Tenants include the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, the Civil Air Patrol, the Ocean Air Support Squadron, and the emergency medical transport of both the Monmouth Ocean Hospital Service Corporation (MONOC MedEVAC) and Hackensack Meridian Health (AirMed One).
Tenants include the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, the Civil Air Patrol, the Ocean Air Support Squadron, and facilities to house aircrafts for emergency medical transports.
Lakewood Airport
In related news, Lakewood Township will receive $144,000 for its municipal airport off Cedar Bridge Avenue.
“Lakewood Township plans to use its FAA grant to help enhance airport safety by removing obstructions and trimming trees,” Smith said.
Steve Reinman, Director of Economic & Industrial Development for Lakewood Township, said “We are making numerous efforts to remove obstructions along the south end of the runway that will enhance safety and lead to more business activity in the airport. We are really pleased to receive this grant. Congressman Smith has been extremely helpful in our managing this relationship with FAA.”
Located in the center of the township’s industrial park, Lakewood Airport serves corporate clients, aviation enthusiasts, the township’s general population and even baseball fans. Lakewood Airport (FAA 3 digit designation N12) is operated and managed by the Lakewood Township Airport Authority with aviation services provided the FBO, Aviation Charters, Inc.
Chris Lundy contributed to this story
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