There will be a ribbon cutting to celebrate the recent building of new t-hangars at Seminole Municipal Airport (also known as Jimmie Austin Regional Airport) on December 10, 2022 at 10 a.m. "We could not be more grateful to the Congressional Delegation, the FAA and OAC for the fantastic transformation of the Jimmie Austin Seminole Regional Airport. Our City Council has demonstrated their understanding of the importance for this airport for existing and potential business development by appropriating the necessary match dollars. Now, with the recent work on the Runway, Tarmac, Fuel System and the new hangers, we can once again be proud of the front door to our community," said City Manager Steve Saxon.
“Working with Mayor Griffin and City Manager Steve Saxon on this project has been an excellent example of the partnership the Aeronautics Commission has with our communities across Oklahoma. This has been the culmination of a 5-year effort to complete this multi-year hangar and taxiway infrastructure initiative that will lead Seminole’s airport into the future and allow for additional growth and development opportunities. With aviation and aerospace as the state’s second-largest economic engine, this community is now positioned for further aero commerce and tourism.” Said Oklahoma Aeronatics Commission Director Grayson Ardies.
Community Development Director Sharon Emmitt led City of Seminole in obtaining a $816,000 FAA grant for the design and construction of the hangars. The award paid for all 12 new t-hangars, which will replace older ones that will be demolished.
“Since my start with the City in 2005, FAA has granted more than $4.3 million towards improvements to Seminole Municipal Airport,” said Emmitt.
In the past 20 years, FAA and Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission have funded many projects at our airport, including rehabilitation of the 5,000 foot runway, new runway lights, construction of a concrete hardstand, two weather observation towers, new T-hangars and many other projects. In the next 5 years, FAA and OAC are making plans for another $7 million in investments, which will include new PAPI (Precision Approach Path Indicator) lights, a new south taxiway, and a new terminal building.
Recently, Seminole High School has adopted aviation curriculum, and several of the students are also flight school students at our airport. “To have another generation learning from the ground up is what the aviation industry is about – we are proud to be a part of it,” said Saxon.
“None of this would be possible without the leadership of OAC Director Grayson Ardies, and FAA Region 6 Director Glenn Boles. Seminole is fortunate to have Taylor Aviation as management at the airport, and an advisory board who are more than just part of the flying community – as a whole, they bring our airport to life,” said Emmitt.