Feds promise St. George up to $90 million for airport

ST. GEORGE — News that St. George would receive up to $90 million in federal funding to build its highly anticipated replacement airport came quietly with little fanfare.

"It was kind of anticlimactic. It came on a fax machine about 2 p.m. on Friday," said Mike LaPier, St. George airport manager. "But we'll take it!"

According to John Bauer, acting manager of the FAA's Denver Airports District Office that serves Utah, Colorado and Wyoming, the money is being issued under the Airport Improvement Program. St. George already received $17.2 million from the FAA to help buy land around the replacement airport site, which sits about seven miles southeast of the city's current airport.

"This nearly completes all of the funding we will receive from the federal government for this project," LaPier said. "A lot of people have been under the false impression that this airport wouldn't be built. This investment from the federal government should convince them that it is going to happen."

But the price tag for making the move has increased substantially, more than doubling to an estimated $180 million from an original tally of $78 million. Support for the new airport has also increased over the years with the region's congressional delegation stepping up to help move the project forward.

"This is great news for St. George," said Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah. "Together with the mayor and other community leaders, I've made the new airport a top priority for the past four years. This federal funding commitment now ensures that the dream of expanded jet service will become a reality."

Under the FAA's letter of intent, St. George will receive up to $90 million over the next eight years to construct a single runway 9,300 feet long, with a parallel taxiway with precision instrument lighting and a terminal apron. The money cannot be earmarked for a terminal building or roadways or parking structures, LaPier said.

That means St. George must come up with about $70 million to cover the difference. Selling off the current 274-acre airport site, which the city is touting as "prime development property," could raise much of that amount. St. George would also have to lease its current airport site from a new owner for a nominal fee while it builds the replacement airport, according to the city's request for bids.

"Hopefully we can marry the needs of the city with a potential buyer," LaPier added.

Serious discussions about moving the city's airport from its current location atop a mesa in downtown St. George began more than 13 years ago. Boosters pointed to the area's surge in population and a growing economic base, saying the new airport would attract even more vitality to the region by adding commercial jet aircraft seating up to 100 passengers.