The Grants Pass Airport has been formally selected for federal funding tied to its ongoing runway extension project, an important step toward reimbursing a $3 million loan allocation last year from Josephine County’s general fund. However, despite recent public statements announcing the award, county officials confirm that the airport has not yet received any federal funds, and no portion of the loan has been reimbursed at this time.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration’s Fiscal Year 2026 Airport Infrastructure Grant Announcement 2, Grants Pass Airport has been selected to receive up to $1.45 million in federal funding for its Extend and Expand Runway project. The selection places the project on the FAA’s approved funding list, signaling that it has met federal eligibility requirements and is positioned to move forward in the grant process.
Airport officials described the selection as a significant milestone. In a written message to county commissioners, Josephine County Airports Manager Michael Crisafulli stated that the FAA had formally announced the grant and emphasized that the selection reflects successful coordination between the county, the FAA, and project partners.
While the announcement represents meaningful progress, county officials stress that selection does not equal payment. The FAA funding has not yet been obligated, executed, or disbursed. Before any federal dollars are reimbursed, the airport sponsor must complete several administrative steps, including acceptance of the grant, execution of a formal grant agreement, and compliance with federal requirements tied to project scope and documentation.
The runway extension project moved forward last year with the support of an allocated $3 million loan from the county’s general fund, intended as a temporary financing measure while federal and state funding was pursued. That loan remains fully outstanding. Even if the FAA grant is ultimately executed at its full amount, approximately $1.55 million would still remain to be reimbursed through future funding sources.
County officials caution that describing the project as already “funded” or “paid for” would be inaccurate. At this stage, the FAA’s announcement reflects an intent to fund, contingent on final approval and execution. Until the grant agreement is formally accepted and federal reimbursements begin, no county funds have been repaid.
The runway extension is designed to improve safety margins, enhance aircraft performance in varying conditions, and expand the airport’s ability to serve a wider range of aircraft. Local leaders have cited benefits to emergency response operations, business aviation, and regional economic activity as key reasons for pursuing the project.
Additional grant applications remain under review, and airport management continues to work with federal partners to secure remaining funding. County officials say they are cautiously optimistic that future awards could fully retire the general fund loan, but acknowledge that no guarantees exist until grants are formally executed.
The FAA’s Airport Infrastructure Grant program is a competitive, multi-year funding initiative supporting airport improvements nationwide. Grants Pass Airport’s inclusion in the FY 2026 allocation reflects progress in that process, but officials emphasize that residents should understand the distinction between grant selection and actual reimbursement.
County commissioners are expected to review the grant details and next procedural steps in upcoming public meetings. For now, the FAA’s announcement represents a positive development, but not a completed transaction, and the county’s $3 million loan remains unreimbursed as the project moves through the final stages of the federal funding process.