Aviation - Community Aviation Revitalization Board (CARB) Loans
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Aviation measures related to Community Aviation Revitalization Board (CARB) Loans
CARB Loans
WSDOT Aviation has been charged with administering the CARB Loan Program pursuant to RCW 47.68. The program provides low interest loans to public-use airports for revenue-producing capital projects generally not eligible for FAA funding to assist airports to become more self-sustainable and less reliant on public funds.
The program provides loans up to $1.2 million at 2% interest to airports with less than 75,000 annual commercial enplanements, as reported to the FAA. Loans can have a maximum 20-year loan period, and recipients can opt for up to a three-year loan repayment grace period.
Source: WSDOT Aviation Division.
Note: *2024 Port of Ephrata original project was cancelled due to cost escalation and they were re-awarded under a separate application.
Performance highlights
Community Aviation Revitalization Board loan program awards over $1.95 million
In September 2024, the Community Aviation Revitalization Board (CARB) awarded $1,955,208 to three eligible projects:
- Port of Ephrata, Ephrata Municipal Airport—Jet A fueling Facility $1,140,000
- City of Davenport, Davenport Municipal Airport—9-unit Terminal-Hangar $750,000
- Port of Lopez, Lopez Airport—Maintenance Tractor $65,208
As of October 2024, CARB has awarded loans for 23 projects totaling $13,256,166. $1,255,047 is available to award in December 2024.
To date, 13 out of 23 projects (56.5%) totaling $6,694,338 have been completed with eight of them beginning loan repayments. An additional seven projects totaling $4,736,828 are on schedule to be completed by June 30, 2025. This equates to 20 out 23 projects (78.9%) for $11,431,166 being completed by the end of the 2023-2025 biennium.
Community Aviation Revitalization Board loan program awards approximately $12.5 million
In May 2021, the Community Aviation Revitalization Board (CARB) loan program was made permanent by the Washington State Legislature and has been funded with $15 million through the 2023-2025 biennium. The revolving loan program provides low-interest loans to public general aviation airports for revenue-producing projects to help them become more self-sustainable and less reliant on state and federal funding.
The program has received 43 applications totaling $27,294,367 since its inception. As of 2023, the CARB has awarded loans for 21 projects totaling $12,453,923.
To date, qualifying airports have completed 52% of the projects (11 out of 21), with six of them beginning loan repayments. The Port of Bremerton's new $4.2 million multi-purpose facility at the Bremerton National Airport that includes a multiplane hangar, aeronautical office space, pilot flight-planning room, multiple restrooms, and a 147-seat restaurant was partially funded by a $750,000 CARB loan.
The next round of funding is planned for May 2024 with approximately $2.5 million in remaining funding in the 2023-2025 capital budget.
The revolving loan program provides low-interest loans to airports for revenue-producing projects that will help them become more self-sufficient and less reliant on state and federal funding. To date, the program has received 38 applications totaling $23,038,096. The CARB has awarded loans for 18 projects totaling $12,453,923.
Eight of the 18 (44%) projects have been completed, with four of them already repaying loans. A $750,000 CARB loan partially funded the Port of Bremerton's new $4.2 million multi-purpose facility at the Bremerton National Airport, which includes a multi-plane hangar, aeronautical office space, a pilot flight-planning room, multiple restrooms, and a 147-seat restaurant.
Another round of CARB loans are planned for July 2023, subject to additional funding being secured in the 2023-2025 capital budget.
CARB Loan program was codified with SB5031 in May 2021 and appropriated another $5 million beginning on July 1, 2021. CARB awarded $2.33 million in 2021 to eligible, public-use airports. Projects included:
- City of Auburn, Auburn Municipal Airport — T-Hangar Door Replacement $750,000
- City of Deer Park, Deer Park Municipal Airport — Airport Sewer Main $730,000
- Kittitas County, Bowers Field — West Apron Hangar Taxilane $100,000
- Port of Benton, Richland Airport — Hangar Acquisition $750,000
CARB awarded $3.2 million in 2020 to eligible, public-use airports. Projects included:
- Port of Bremerton, Bremerton National Airport — Multi-purpose Facility $750,000
- Port of Port Angeles, William R. Fairchild Airport — Utility Ext. & Hangar Development $425,000 (Phase II)
- Pierce County, Thun Field — Hangar Doors Replacement Project $750,000
- Sequim Valley Airport, Inc., Sequim Valley Airport — Access Road and Fueling Area Repaving Project $70,000
- City of Kelso, Southwest Regional Airport — Fuel Farm Improvements $500,000
- City of Chewelah, Chewelah Municipal Airport — Aviation Fuel Tank Facility $425,000
- City of Moses Lake, Moses Lake Municipal Airport — New Fuel System $175,000
- Kittitas County, Bowers Field — Hangar Utility Extension $105,000