Community Aviation Revitalization Board (CARB) loan program

Find out how to apply to the Community Aviation Revitalization (CARB) loan program, which provides loans up to $750,000 at 2 percent interest to airports with less than 75,000 annual commercial enplanements, as reported to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

CARB Loan Program

The Community Aviation Revitalization Board (CARB) loan program bill, SB 5031, was signed into law by the Governor on May 3, 2021 (effective June 30, 2021). The corresponding capital budget bill, SHB 1080, which provides an additional $5 million for the 2021-2023 biennium was signed into law by the Governor on May 18, 2021.

The revolving loan program is for revenue-producing capital projects to help public-use general aviation airports become more self-sustainable and less dependent on public funding. Eligible projects can include hangars, fueling facilities, business parks on airport property, paid parking facilities, passenger amenities and other revenue-generating or cost-cutting developments.

CARB background

The Community Aviation Revitalization loan program was initially established in 2019 and funded with $5 million.

Demand for the loans far exceeded the available funding. The popular pilot loan program received 26 applications totaling over $14.8 million in requests. Ultimately, $4,740,000 was awarded for 11 projects during the first two years. The loan program’s success helped assure passage of the bill, making the program permanent and securing additional funding.

The program funds will be distributed with the guidance of the eight member CARB Board consisting of a representative from WSDOT Aviation Division, the Public Works Board (PWB), and a non-legislative member of the Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB). The Board also consists of the following members appointed by the Secretary of Transportation Roger Millar: one port official, one county official, one city official, one representative of the airport managers and one representative of the general aviation pilots organization of Washington state.

The program provides loans up to $750,000 at 2 percent interest to airports with less than 75,000 annual commercial enplanements, as reported to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Loans can have a maximum 20 year loan period and recipients can opt to have up to a 3 year loan repayment grace period. Loan recipients must commit to provide public access to the airport for a period of time equivalent to one and one-half times the length of the loan.

The next request for loan applications will occur July 2021 (application deadline TBD). Expectations are for the Board to select projects for funding sometime during Fall 2021.

Application (PDF 371KB)

CARB Manual (PDF 863KB)

Past Awards

The 8-person Board has awarded loans for 15 projects totaling $7,070,000. These projects include:

  • Port of Port Angeles, William R. Fairchild Airport – Utility Ext. & Hangar Development $750,000  (2019)
  • City of Chehalis, Chehalis-Centralia Municipal Airport – Above Ground Fueling Facility $750,000 (2019)
  • City of Othello, Othello Municipal Airport – 10-unit Hangar Project $450,000 (2019)
  • Sequim Valley Airport, Inc., Sequim Valley Airport – UST Removal Project $15,000 (2019)
  • Port of Bremerton, Bremerton National Airport – Multi-purpose Facility $750,000 (2020)
  • Sequim Valley Airport, Inc., Sequim Valley Airport – Access Road and Fueling Area Repaving Project $70,000 (2020)
  • Pierce County, Thun Field – Hangar Doors Replacement Project $750,000 (2020)
  • City of Chewelah, Chewelah Municipal Airport – Aviation Fuel Tank Facility $425,000 (2020)
  • City of Kelso, SW Washington Regional Airport – Fuel Farm Improvements $500,000 (2020)
  • City of Moses Lake, Moses Lake Municipal Airport – New Fuel System $175,000 (2020)
  • Kittitas County, Bowers Field – Hangar Utility Extension $105,000 (2020)
  • City of Deer Park, Deer Park Municipal Airport – Sewer Main Installation $730,000 (2021)
  • Port of Benton, Richland Airport – Hangar Acquisition $750,000 (2021)
  • City of Auburn, Auburn Municipal Airport – T-Hangar Rehabilitation $750,000 (2021)
  • Kittitas County, Bowers Field – West Apron Hangar Taxilane $100,000 (2021)


Upcoming Meetings

Past Meetings

Meeting minutes, agendas and materials for the following past meeting dates are available upon request by emailing christina.crea@wsdot.wa.gov

Contact information

Dave Chenaur
Aviation Loan Program Manager
david.chenaur@wsdot.wa.gov
360-705-7839
360-628-1767

Performance highlights from the Gray Notebook

8,683 animals crossed the Snoqualmie Pass East Project area

as recorded by WSDOT and partners in 2020 and 2021.

46% increase in Amtrak Cascades ridership to 251,000 passengers

in 2021 compared to 172,000 in 2020.

Nine wetland and stream mitigation sites across 32.7 acres added

to our monitoring program in 2021 to help offset climate change impacts.