$15M boost for Butler County airport could pave way for businesses, restaurants and jobs

$15M boost for Butler County airport could pave way for businesses, restaurants and jobs

The commissioners have long wanted to get more out of the airport, after a few rocky years when they had to bail out the airport to the tune of $40,000 to $50,000, up to as much as $100,000. The shortfall was largely because the former airport manager’s salary and benefits totaled $110,310. The field has been solvent since 2019. The 2027 tax budget shows $377,378 in expenses to paid with $407,800 in revenues. The preliminary budget doesn’t reflect the estimated $15 million investment.

The county has had three airport managers since 2023 including new-hire Kandace Braddam, 45, who came onboard in June — with an annual salary of $90,168 — after the previous manager resigned for health reasons.

Boyko said Braddam, who was the general manager at Allegiant Airlines before joining the county, has already begun work on a business plan that “looks at the airport not only to become an economic anchor but also an economic engine for Butler County,” and hopes to have it completed by year’s end.

Braddam shared with the Journal-News a 10-year “capital and development roadmap” for the airport that shows they plan to complete a financial analysis and address terminal upgrades, parking and access roads, power line relocation and other projects with the primary goal of making the property shovel-ready in the first three years. In phase three — years five through 10 — the prime objective is to establish the airport “as a regional center for corporate aviation, helicopters, aerospace and Advanced Air Mobility.”

“We have everything a company would need or want to build,” Braddam said. “I think it’s a great opportunity not only for the airport to bring in some revenue but for the county and the cities that are in this county to generate revenue and jobs with what we can create here.”

Aside from the Hogan Field-specific long-term plan the county has been participating with the Butler County Finance Authority and the airports in Middletown and Oxford on a project examining how the county’s three assets can become magnets for growth, given there are vast amounts of virgin acreage.

BCFA President and CEO Joshua Smith said now that their strategic plan is complete they have established an Airport Advisory Committee that meets regularly to help, “coordinate airport leadership, local governments, businesses, and regional partners to advance infrastructure, aviation-related development, workforce opportunities, and future investment.”

“The completed aviation plan provides a roadmap for maximizing the value of our airport assets, including more than 450 acres of adjacent undeveloped real estate,” Smith said. “It identifies opportunities for the highest and best use of these sites while evaluating the emerging potential of Advanced Air Mobility.”

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PHOTO CREDIT: Kandace Braddam is the new manager of Butler County Regional Airport in Hamilton. Nick Graham / Staff