Airport project funds are federal

By Terry Murry on Tuesday, January 11th, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

PENDLETON – A number of projects are underway at the Eastern Oregon Regional Airport in Pendleton. Federal funds have been provided to cover everything from the water supply to the terminal itself.

“When we’re done, we will have updated our fleet and our buildings,” City Manager Robb Corbett said. “Those buildings are a revenue source that will help us pay for the airport moving into the future.”

It’s not going to happen overnight.

“In order to follow all the rules, particularly the FFA rules and the bidding rules, it’s going to take a long time to get those projects done,” Corbett said.

Mayor John Turner said the airport is flourishing thanks to the Pendleton UAS Test Range.

“We’re already one of the busiest test ranges in the United States,” he said. “We think we’re the largest, busiest test range west of the Rockies.”