GA gets a boost in Nebraska

Airport funding from the state of Nebraska has historically been among the lowest in the United States, with some recent years totaling zero state grants distributed.

AOPA has worked with the Nebraska Association of Airport Officials and the Nebraska Aviation Council since 2016 to advocate for additional funding for airport improvement grants in the state and AOPA Central Southwest Regional Manager Tom Chandler testified in favor of two bills during their time in the legislature this year.

Omnibus bills LB138 and LB727 were signed by Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen on June 1. Each includes language that will increase airport funding grants in the state.

LB138 moves administrative costs of the Nebraska Department of Transportation Aeronautics Division to the NDOT budget, freeing up $2 million which can now be allocated for airport grants.

LB727 creates the Department of Transportation Aeronautics Division Capital Improvement Fund. Sales tax proceeds from aircraft purchases and leases will deposit into that fund instead of the state General Fund, providing approximately $1.7 million annually for airport grants.

The NDOT Aeronautics Division plans to use the Capital Improvement Fund to provide communities with local matching funds for FAA Airport Improvement Program grants, which typically require a 10 percent local match. These funds will make airport projects possible for many smaller communities in Nebraska which may have trouble raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to match a multi-million-dollar improvement project needed.

“Additional state airport improvement funding has been long overdue in Nebraska,” said Chandler. “After many years of hard work, it is wonderful to see the persistence of the airport supporters in the state finally begin to pay off.”

AOPA will continue to advocate for GA at the state level across the U.S.