TOMS RIVER – Ocean County will use an almost $300,000 grant from the federal government to assist in funding the construction of a new hangar building at the Ocean County Airport, Berkeley Township.

"This new hangar, once completed will provide six units for storing larger general aviation aircraft," said Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners Joseph H. Vicari, liaison to the airport. "The demand for hangar space continues to increase. This will be the sixth hangar to be constructed at the airport."

The federal funding comes from the Airport Infrastructure Grant program and was supported by Congressman Chris Smith.

"The FAA grant will support important upgrades to hangar space at the Ocean County Airport," Smith said.

Vicari said Ocean County appreciated the efforts of Congressman Smith in securing the funding for the upgrades at the airpark.

"The Ocean County Airport plays an integral role in Ocean County's economy and also our public safety," Vicari said.

Ocean County anticipates going out to bid for the new hangar around February 2024 and work could begin in the spring of 2024. Construction is expected to take about two years.

The size of the new hangar is approximately 20,000 square feet and it will be a pre-engineered steel building on a concrete foundation. The overall project is expected to cost about $4 million.

"There is already interest from airplane owners for the future space," Vicari said.

Vicari noted that since 1991, about $42 million has been spent on various improvement projects at the Ocean County Airport.

"About $32 million has come from grants from the Federal Aviation Administration and the New Jersey Department of Transportation," he said.

Over the years, Vicari said, the county has constructed a crosswind runway at the airport, a new terminal building and a host of other improvements.

"Safety is paramount at the Ocean County Airport," Vicari said, "The County staff and the fix based operator work in partnership to provide the safest and best facility possible."

The Ocean County Airport covers 822 acres of the Robert J. Miller Airpark, Route 530, in Berkeley and Lacey townships. A precision approach facility, it features two runways and a heliport, and accommodates private planes, corporate jets, and emergency services aircraft. Tenants include the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, the Civil Air Patrol, the Ocean Air Support Squadron, and facilities to house aircrafts for emergency medical transports.