Richmond will apply for a $1.4 million grant to help construct a new Richmond Municipal Airport terminal.
During its Jan. 5 meeting, Richmond Common Council unanimously granted permission for the application to the Federal Aviation Administration, which has funding available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The grant requires a $35,000 city match from airport funds, and the state will contribute another $35,000, according to Rodney Mayse, the airport manager.
The grant application is due Jan. 15.
The FAA earlier awarded Richmond $257,165 to cover architectural and engineering design, site preparation and environmental assessments. LWC Architecture is designing the new terminal, and Mayse said the design process is nearly complete. Mayse said the previous award, the project’s shovel-ready status and support from Congressman Jefferson Shreve are factors that could influence the FAA to look favorably upon Richmond’s application.
The overall project cost estimate is $2.3 million. The terminal is more than 80 years old and no longer meets standards for functionality, efficiency or safety, with rising maintenance costs. More than 15,000 operations, which includes flights and other aviation activities, occur each year at the airport.
Tax abatement
Primex Plastics Corp. has requested a personal property tax abatement for an $8 million investment that will create six new jobs.
Council referred the request to its tax abatement committee, which will score the request using the city’s tax abatement metrics.
Receiving donations
Council referred to its finance committee ordinances that would permit Richmond Police Department and Richmond Fire Department to accept donations.
Similar ordinances are adopted each year.
Council officers
During a short special meeting before the regular meeting, council elected Justin Burkhardt as its president and Larry Parker as vice president for 2026.
Burkhardt is an at-large member beginning his third year on council. He chaired council’s finance committee during 2025.
Parker represents the fourth district and was council’s 2025 president. Burkhardt presented Parker a plaque in recognition of his leadership last year.
A version of this article appeared in the January 14 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.