DeKalb County Airport (KGWB) in Auburn, Indiana, is holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony tomorrow to mark the conclusion of a 2,100-foot extension to its lone Runway 9/27, bringing it to 7,105 feet. The $6.8 million project involved installing upgraded runway lights, signage, and paint, along with a new precision approach path indicator system and exterior fencing for the extension. It was 90 percent funded by FAA airport improvement grants, with the remainder covered by state and local funds.
According to airport manager Russ Couchman, the field is currently home to six business jets. “I think we’re going to see more, and probably see more Part 135 because of [the longer runway],” he said. “We were seeing a whole bunch of jet traffic already that just wanted to be here, and that’s what prompted this. When we are seeing over 1,000 jet operations a year off of 5,000 feet [of runway], it was time to do something.”
The project kicked off in February and resulted in the closure of the runway from July 21 through September 19.
Couchman told AIN this represents a milestone in a multi-phase development plan at KGWB. Additional work lined up for the coming years includes the installation of a new ILS, construction of a parallel taxiway, and refurbishment of the previously existing 5,000 feet of runway pavement that was laid down in 1996.