The Lincoln Airport is applying for a state grant to help it develop a new portion of its industrial park.
The Airport Authority on Thursday approved a pre-application to the Nebraska Department of Economic Development for a $750,000 grant from the state's site, building and development fund, a new program that was created under LB388, which the Legislature passed this year.
Airport Executive Director John Wood said the money would go to help build infrastructure, including roads and sewer and water lines, on two tracts of land -- one 50 acres and one 80 acres -- on the north side of the airport.
A study done in 2010 determined that the area was one of the best sites in Lincoln to try to lure new industrial businesses because of its size and the fact that it is served by two rail lines.
However, the site needs extensive work to get it ready for potential development.
"The area today has no services," Wood said. "It's farm ground"
The total cost of the project will be about $2.5 million, Wood said, and to qualify to apply for the grant, the Airport Authority had to pledge the rest of the money. If it is successful in getting the grant, the airport hopes to get some financial help from the city to pay for the project.
If it passes the pre-application process, the airport will have to submit a formal grant application by Feb.1, and Wood said if the application is successful, the money will be awarded in March.
He did not give a timetable for when infrastructure work might begin.
In other business Thursday, the Airport Authority voted to continue, for at least another year, subsidizing the company that runs its gift shop and restaurant to help stem losses from a drop in passenger traffic.
As part of the agreement, the airport will cover as much as $90,000 per year in losses by Air Host. Wood said the airport paid the company $89,000 last year.
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