ODNR Opens New Hangar at Richard Downing Airport

COSHOCTON, OH – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony today in Coshocton to celebrate the completion of the Richard Downing Airport Hangar.

The Hangar was funded through a federal program called the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization program.

Mary Mertz, the Director of ODNR, said through this program they’re able to provide grant funding to people interested in economic development with old mine lands.

“The airport Manager was talking with me about all the local companies who need this and use it.” Mertz said. “It really supports, you know they may be based somewhere else or their headquarters might be in another state and people are constantly flying in to support these local businesses.”

Mertz said this was an exciting day because this is the very first airplane hangar that the ODNR has built.

She said the hangar development will allow the airport to operate in all seasons, providing opportunities for new aviation-related enterprises

Mertz is excited to see the new opportunities and economic growth that come with this new hangar.

“I think we want people to know about the program,” Mertz said. “Because we want great applications to continue coming in because, I’m hopeful we’ll have the opportunity to do this program in the future.”

Mertz added that the airport is a valuable community asset that many surrounding counties rely on, and this project will serve as an economic catalyst for Coshocton County.