Airport plan details 6-year renovation

Changes might be coming to the Rock Springs Sweetwater County Airport.

The facility’s manager recently submitted a six-year plan to the Wyoming Department of Transportation’s aeronautics division for review and possible approval. While WYDOT is frequently thought of as managing the state’s highways and interstates, the department also manages air travel throughout Wyoming.

Devon Brubaker, the airport’s manager, said he expects the plan to be voted on in October or November. If that approval is made, the airport will start working to educate residents and local government about why it needs to follow the construction plan.

According to Sweetwater County Commissioner Don Van Matre, who serves as the liaison to the airport board, the plan would improve the airport in a number of areas, including the replacement of older equipment, expansion of the commercial terminal, runway improvements and improvements to the hangars. However, Van Matre also says the final aspects of the plan haven’t been decided yet.

“It’s just in the planning stage right now,” Van Matre said.

Brubaker said the plan will certainly involve local funding, which he admits is tight for both Rock Springs and Green River, as well as the county.

If the proposal is approved by the state aeronautics commission, federal funding will be available for the various items in the plan. Brubaker also plans to seek grant funding to help lower the cost to local governments.

“It’s a very critical plan,” Brubaker said. “It’s a big request, but in my mind, it’s a doable request.”

Brubaker said while he realizes the economic conditions are difficult locally, that impact would be much worse without the airport. While airport employees do what they can with the equipment and funding they have, Brubaker said it can only take them so far. Additionally, in dealing with facilities that can be as old as 75-90 years old, there are limits to what they can do.

“I believe it’s very important,” Brubaker said. “I’ll do everything I can to make sure the airport is in the best position possible.”