The Lt. Warren E. Eaton Airport in Norwich will see upgrades to its runway after county officials approved funds for the project on Monday. (Photo by Lt. Warren E. Eaton Airport)

NORWICH – A proposed refurbishment of the runway at the Lt. Warren E. Eaton Airport in Norwich is moving forward after Chenango County officials authorized local funding on Monday to help foot the bill for the project.

The scope of the $1.1 million project includes resealing 4,727 feet of existing runway and taxiway at the county-owned airport, which will be funded mostly by federal grants.

Officials have been notified of $1 million in grant funds made available through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Improvement Program, which will fund 95% of the project. Terms of the grant require an additional payment of 5% for the remaining costs to be paid through state and local sources, with each pitching in 2.5%.

The Chenango County Board of Supervisors has authorized a $26,576 payment from the county’s airport trust account to help fund the project, with the same amount expected from state aid through the NYS Department of Transportation.

Chenango County Planning and Development Director Shane Butler submitted the application for the FAA grant in early 2025, with prospects of having work completed by late summer of 2026.

“We’re thankful that the FAA is continuing to invest in the airport,” said Butler. “Hopefully, we can use this project to preserve the runway for a few extra years before we have to do a complete rehabilitation.”

The county has signed an agreement with Syracuse-based engineering firm C&S Engineers, Inc. for the construction.