The Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport will be receiving $226,000 in grant money that will allow for infrastructure updates.
The money comes from JobsOhio’s Ohio Site Inventory Program (OSIP), according to a news release from the office of Ohio Representative Kyle Koehler (R-Springfield).
The grant is designed to cover site preparation, utility extension and greater access to drive and parking areas for facilities at the airport. It also allows for infrastructure updates such as an electric charging station and a controlled flight simulator.
The flight simulator is designed to allow pilots to gain experience in a controlled environment while also giving easy access to experts at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, the news release added.
The Wright Patterson Air Force Base initiated two projects last year to develop electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft in an effort to create easier air taxi technology.
The flight simulator will be part of that initiative and a ground breaking for an “advanced urban air mobility technology simulator” facility took place at the Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport in December.
“This grant allows us to support the innovation of OSIP and for Ohio to grow as a leading state in electric transportation,” Koehler said in the news release.
“The development of flying cars is a new and fast growing industry. I’m proud to say Ohio is a part of this revolutionary technology. I thank JobsOhio for giving the people of the 79th District this opportunity,” Koehler added in the release.