4 • The Beacon May 8, 2025
Ribbon cut at new airport hangar
The Ohio Department of
Natural Resources and the Coshocton Richard Downing Airport opened a new airplane hangar on May 1 on what was once abandoned mine land.
The project, funded through the ODNR Division of Mineral Resources Management’ s Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization Program, will allow for overnight and short-term storage for business and private aircraft, offering protection from inclement weather and incidental damage.
“ This multipurpose hangar has been a long time coming,” said David Baker, president of the Eddington Venture Group, which assisted with the project.“ It’ s been at least 10 years of planning. We are so thankful for the wide number of people who have supported this project. This airport is very important to this community. We have employers who fly in and out of here and people from places likes Texas, Alabama and Florida who fly in here to hunt.”
The 7,040-square-foot hangar can hold up to three medium jets or various combinations of other aircraft including airplanes and helicopters. The hangar will expand four-season airport operations and generate additional revenue from hangar rentals and related fuel sales. It also will provide a new avionics service and training operations that will benefit general aviation.
“ It’ s amazing to know that this land was used for mining in the past and today it’ s an airport which serves the great purpose of providing transportation, jobs and an economic boost to the Coshocton area,” ODNR Director Mary Mertz said.“ It’ s key to support this type of transformation in local communities and projects like the new hangar, which is another asset to Coshocton Richard Downing Airport.”
The idea of an airport in Coshocton County was first shared in the 1960s as part of former Gov. James Rhodes’ plan to expand business and private aviation into all 88 Ohio counties. In 1967 the heirs of Richard Downing, founder of the Downing Coal Company, donated 324 acres of reclaimed mine land to help create the airport.
Additional funds will be invested into other reclamation projects on airport property. Removal of hazards left after surface mining such as highwalls and water-filled pits will enhance public safety, improve wildlife habitat and create acreage suitable for future commercial development.
The AMLER Program, formerly known as the AML Pilot Program, was authorized by Congress under the Consolidated Appropriations Act by the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. AMLER funds are to be used for the reclamation of abandoned mine lands in conjunction with economic and community development and reuse goals.
OSMRE provides grants to the six states and three tribes with the greatest amount of unfunded abandoned mine land problems for projects that leverage mine land reclamation with local economic development. Since 2017 Ohio has been granted nearly $ 100 million to invest in former coal communities.
Through addressing environmental, economic and safety challenges resulting from abandoned mine lands, communities will be served, and job, tourism,
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Coshocton Richard Downing Airport opened a new airplane hangar on May 1 on what was once abandoned mine land.
Josie Sellers
Josie Sellers
State Rep. Mark Hiner honored all those who worked together to bring the new hangar to the airport.
recreational and business opportunities will be improved, among other benefits.
The Division of Mineral Resources Management oversees the safe and environmentally sound development and restoration of mineral and fossil fuel extraction sites. The division also restores abandoned mine land, enforces mining safety laws, and ensures the protection of citizens, land and water resources.“ This was a very unique project that involved working with different agencies and local government,” said Ben McCament, ODNR mineral resources management chief.
Mertz was excited to be with everyone for the official opening of the hangar.
“ We are here to celebrate the opening of the hangar and I think a new chapter at the Richard Downing Airport,” she said.“ Airports like this are thriving, and we want to be a part of that. The airport is important to this community, and I think now it can be even more valuable. We know this region has so much to offer.”
Beacon Editor Josie Sellers contributed to this story.
Josie Sellers
David Baker, president of the Eddington Venture Group, which assisted with the new hangar project, was one of several speakers at the ribbon cutting.
“
We are so thankful for the wide number of people who have supported this project. This airport is very important to this community.
David Baker,
” president of the Eddington Venture Group