Harrison, Ark., airport receives $7 million federal grant for new terminal

HARRISON, Ark. (KY3) - The Boone County Regional Airport has been awarded $7 million in federal funding to construct a new terminal, replacing a facility that has served the Ozarks community for 66 years.

The grant is awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Airport Terminal Program, which has made $5 billion available nationwide for terminal improvements. Airport Manager Judy McCutcheon applied for the funding several years ago and faced multiple rejections before receiving approval.

“My stomach turned to butterflies,” McCutcheon said. “The anxiety was crazy, and I didn’t even know what to do.”

Major infrastructure improvements planned

The federal funding has enabled the airport to move forward with additional projects totaling $9.8 million. Beyond the new terminal, the facility will add ten enclosed hangars and complete runway rehabilitation work. The projects are being funded through a combination of federal and state grants, with the airport responsible for only $280,000 of the total cost.

Larry Fowler, a longtime airport tenant, said the improvements represent a significant milestone for the facility.

“It’s new life for the airport,” Fowler said. “We go through stages where there’s not much activity at the airport, and then they get more activity, which is a lot more fun as a pilot to see people from all over the country coming in here.”

Focus on general aviation growth

The airport currently serves one commercial airline, Southern Airways Express, which provides connections to Dallas and Memphis using 9-seat aircraft. While McCutcheon hopes to eventually accommodate larger 30-seat planes, her primary focus remains on expanding general aviation services.

“Something we’re really wanting to promote is general aviation,” she said. “It really slowed down, and we need to get that back and get some of the younger pilots in those enclosed hangars that we’re gonna get and get more activity on our field. That’s the key.”

Contractors estimate the new terminal will be completed within 16 months.

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