Carroll Co. Board Votes To Expand Airport Runway

WESTMINSTER, Md. (AP) -- The Carroll County Board of Commissioners has revived plans to expand a runway at the Carroll County Regional Airport, citing the economic development benefits.

The Carroll County Times reports the board voted 3-2 on Thursday to reaffirm its 2007 airport plan, which included the runway extension. The board shot down the extension in January 2012 due to doubts about the benefits.

The project now is estimated to cost $50 million. The Federal Aviation Administration would cover $45 million of that.
Commissioner Haven Shoemaker voted against the project in the past but changed his mind. He says there's evidence that the airport in Westminster has helped create 145 jobs and millions in revenue and personal income.

One company said it would consolidate operations in Carroll if the runway is expanded.

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