Lorain County Officials Say Airport Will Remain Open Amid Cost Concerns

Lorain County Commissioners approved a new airport improvement contract Tuesday while also addressing ongoing questions about the future of the Lorain County Regional Airport.

The board unanimously approved a $60,560 agreement with The Mannik & Smith Group to develop improvement plans for Phase III of the airport’s main apron rehabilitation project.

The project will be funded at a 95% state share through the Ohio Department of Transportation Office of Aviation, with the remaining portion paid from the county’s airport capital improvements account.

During discussion, commissioners made it clear the airport is not expected to close.

Commissioner Jeff Riddell said the board plans to keep the airport open, while Deputy County Administrator Karen Perkins confirmed the facility remains fully operational.

Officials said shutting down the airport would come with major financial and regulatory barriers.

Commissioner David Moore said the county would need to repay approximately $20 million in Federal Aviation Administration grant funding before the airport could be decommissioned.

“If you wanna shut down the airport, we gotta come up with 20 million,” Moore said. “So the airport’s not gonna be shut down.”

In addition, relocating the airport would require building a new facility, which officials estimated could cost $45 million to $50 million. When factoring in land acquisition and other costs, officials said the total could approach or exceed $100 million.

Officials also noted that FAA requirements and approval processes could take years, making closure or relocation a lengthy process.

The airport, located on Russia Road in New Russia Township, is owned by Lorain County, governed by a board of directors, and has been managed by MRK Aviation for approximately 20 years.

Revenue is generated through tenant leases, fuel service charges, and agricultural use of portions of the property, while the county contributes roughly $1 million annually to support operations and match state and federal grant funding.

The discussion comes as some residents raised concerns about transparency and the long-term future of the airport property.

Avon Lake residents questioned whether plans for the site were being discussed publicly, pointing to continued investment in airport infrastructure.

County officials said past discussions about selling or relocating the airport have taken place but did not move forward.

Moore said the county was approached in 2021 regarding a potential sale of the airport property to a semiconductor manufacturer, but the cost of replacing the airport made the proposal unfeasible.

Those discussions ultimately ended, though officials noted they helped spark broader conversations about economic development opportunities in Lorain County.

Commissioners emphasized that while the airport has been discussed for decades, the financial realities tied to federal funding and replacement costs make closure unlikely.

The newly approved apron project is part of ongoing upgrades aimed at maintaining and improving the facility.

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