By Logan Andrew | FreeWire — Your News, Your Voice
Port Bucyrus Airport officially broke ground this week on a new terminal building, marking the final phase of a five-year revitalization effort totaling $4.4 million in improvements. The project represents one of the most significant infrastructure investments in the airport’s history — with the City of Bucyrus contributing only a small fraction of the overall cost.
Airport Commission President Kevin DeTray, Airport Manager Dave Shealey, Airport Commission member Fred Fischer, contractor representative Tim Studer, and several community partners attended the groundbreaking ceremony. Representatives from the Crawford County Chamber of Commerce and the Crawford Partnership were also present, though not pictured.
A Multi-Year Transformation
The new terminal culminates a sequence of major upgrades that began several years ago:
- A $2.2 million project to replace taxiway lighting with modern LED systems
- A $350,000 project the following year to convert runway lighting to LEDs
- The new terminal building, funded largely through federal COVID-era allocations and FAA safety grants
These improvements total approximately $4.4 million, while the city itself contributed only $300,000 during the process — and $183,000 of that was later refunded, leaving Bucyrus with minimal long-term expense.
Why Bucyrus Rose to the Top of the Funding List
For years, Port Bucyrus Airport was one of only two airports in the state where a building sat inside the 400-foot safety zone extending along the runway centerline. FAA regulations prohibit structures within this area.
Because the old terminal violated this requirement, the airport qualified for top-tier federal support to correct the issue. The new terminal is being constructed outside the restricted zone, and the old building will be demolished after the new facility opens.
Benefits Beyond Compliance
A new terminal brings practical and economic advantages. Bucyrus’ manufacturing sector relies on access to regional aviation, and many factory owners and business partners fly into the local airport. A modern, professional terminal improves first impressions, supports local industry, and strengthens economic development efforts.
The upgrades also reduce maintenance costs, increase safety, improve visibility, and ensure the city remains competitive for future FAA funding.
Local Fundraising Still Needed
Hord Family Offers $50,000 Matching Challenge
While federal grants cover construction of the building itself, FAA rules strictly limit how funds can be spent: only items permanently attached to the structure qualify. Cabinets, counters, and built-in fixtures are covered. Furniture, appliances, landscaping, and aesthetic finishes are not.
To complete the project, the airport has launched a local fundraising initiative.
The Hord Family has pledged to match private donations up to $50,000, effectively doubling community contributions. President Kevin DeTray says the airport hopes to raise around $100,000 in total to finalize the terminal’s interior furnishings and outdoor landscaping.
These privately raised funds will cover essential items like seating, tables, kitchen equipment, décor, and exterior improvements — all of which fall outside federal grant restrictions.
What Comes Next
Site work has begun, and the new terminal will take shape in the coming months. Once complete, the existing terminal encroaching on the runway safety zone will be removed.
With construction underway and fundraising efforts building momentum, Bucyrus is on track to complete a modernized airport campus that positions the community for future growth and opportunity.
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