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By Alan Torres
Eugene Register-Guard
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Elected officials representing the Eugene area said they will push for state and federal funding to expand the Eugene Airport at an airport-hosted showcase on July 7.

Officials with the airport, the city, state and federal governments and both universities made a case for expanding the airport to accommodate more planes and as an economic development tool.

The airport is already expanding concourse A to offer more seating and better passenger flow. Redesigning the baggage claim is also in the works.

Airport officials want to add a third concourse, which would double the airport’s capacity. Airport officials believe an expansion would result in more destinations being offered, ridership increases of at least 30% and a boost to the southern Willamette Valley’s economy by 13,000 jobs and $2 billion.

The expansion is projected to cost $240 million. Airport officials have not identified funding.

Lawmakers plan to champion expansion plans

U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle, D-Oregon, and State Rep. Nancy Nathanson, D-Eugene, both said they would push their respective legislatures to contribute a share in upcoming legislative sessions.

Nathanson told the Register-Guard she’s talking with city of Eugene officials to work out an exact dollar ask, which she plans to forward to the legislature in 2027.

Nathanson was optimistic the project would get support in the legislature. She said many lawmakers are interested in investing in economic development outside of the Portland metro area, and the Eugene Airport is an opportunity to do that.

“I’ve indicated very strong support for this project,” she said. “The case is well made and it’s time and this state needs to invest in other regions and not rely on one main economic hub.”

Nathanson believes expanding the airport will spur economic growth for the region as a whole, pointing to the Southern Willamette Valley Innovation Corridor proposed by Eugene Mayor Kaarin Knudson as an example.

“You can’t expect to have rapid and large growth in research and innovation and startup businesses if major investors, researchers, faculty … they’re spending several hours driving up to Portland to catch a flight to return.”

Hoyle said she’s doing similar work at the congressional level. Hoyle is a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and was optimistic she could make the pitch that the Eugene Airport is a worthwhile investment to the others on the committee.

“We recognize that we have a job to do in investing taxpayer dollars into our infrastructure,” Hoyle said. “We have to invest wisely. We do not want bridges to nowhere. What this right here is, is our bridge to the world. And more importantly, the world’s bridge to us.”