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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2025

Brookings, Oregon

Continued Investments Strengthen Brookings Municipal Airport

taining Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) compliance. The plan was funded through a ninety-percent FAA Airport Improvement Grant, a 9% grant from the Oregon Department of Aviation, and a one-percent local match. “These investments are critical to keeping our airport safe, efﬁcient, and capable of supporting the South Coast’s transportation and emergency response needs,” said Mayor Isaac Hodges. “We are incredibly grateful for the strong support from our federal and state partners.” Among recent upgrades was the successful surface sealing of the airport’s taxiway and apron, funded almost entirely by the FAA. Now, the City is preparing to launch a major project to upgrade runway lighting, naviga-

BY WENDY GIORDANO, GRANT/PROJECT MANAGER Guest Column

With strong backing from state and federal partners, the City of Brookings is continuing to invest in long-term improvements at the Brookings Municipal Airport (BOK), a vital hub for general aviation, emergency response, and regional economic development on Oregon’s South Coast. Acquired by the City in 2018 from Curry County, the airport supports business and recreational travel, emergency medical transport, and wildﬁre response operations. Its strategic importance led the City to adopt a twenty-Year Airport Master Plan in 2022, outlining a phased approach to improving safety, expanding services, and main-

tion systems, and electrical infrastructure. The $1.2 million effort will be funded through ninety-ﬁve-percent federal support via the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Airport Improvement Program, four-percent from the Oregon Department of Aviation, and just one-percent from the city. State and federal leaders have voiced strong support for these infrastructure investments. U.S. Senator Ron Wyden emphasized the value of smaller airports like Brookings: “Federal investments in smaller airports throughout Oregon are a must to enhance quality of life in rural communities. I’m gratiﬁed these resources are heading to our state, and I’ll keep battling for similar investments that support local economies, ensure emer-

gency services during wildﬁres and more.” Senator Jeff Merkley added that regional airports are essential to both emergency response and economic opportunity: “Oregon’s regional airports serve as vital hubs for our communities and economies, supporting local businesses, connecting travelers to world-class recreational opportunities, and providing essential lifelines during natural disasters.” Representative Val Hoyle also celebrated the recent investments: “I’m happy to see these improvements being made in Brookings and across Oregon to help improve safety, modernize equipment, and make these airports more viable for residents and tourists alike,” Hoyle said. “These upgrades will grow local

economies by making towns on the South Coast more accessible. I am grateful.” In addition to federal support, local leaders also credit longtime state advocate Senator David Brock Smith for his consistent efforts to secure infrastructure investments for Southwest Oregon, including airport and transportation enhancements. As the City moves forward with its twenty-year Capital Improvement Plan, ofﬁcials remain committed to maintaining the Brookings Municipal Airport as a safe, efﬁcient, and resilient transportation asset that supports public safety, economic vitality, and community well-being across the region.

SWOCC Celebrates 30 Years in Curry County with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the Curry Campus BY LINDA LEE

Curry Coastal Pilot

Curry Campus: Jill TeVelde Dean of Curry Campus, Workforce Development, with faculty and staff, are proud of the campus now has its own sign.

Ribbon Cutting for HWY 101 Sign: Curry County Chamber members David Allen (l) and Michelle Burbert help Peggy Goergen () and Janet Pretti, both former deans of the college, complete the ribbon cutting with Aleta Mankamyer (l), Jill TeVelde and Representative Court Boice lend support.

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Southwestern Community College (SWOCC) just reached a milestone at their Curry Campus as they celebrated their 30th anniversary with a ribbon cutting ceremony and sign dedications. Students, faculty, staff and community members were on hand to share in the history of the building of SWOCC’s Curry Campus as Jill TeVelde Dean of Curry Campus, Workforce Development highlighted the many accomplishments at the college. “We are here to celebrate two permanent signs that have been installed here on the campus,” said TeVelde, “and to share in the history of the campus.” Until the signs were installed, there had been nothing, at Highway 101, to designate where the turnoff was to the campus, so the addition of the signage will make it easier for the community to know how to find the college. The sign on Highway 101 reads SWOCC and the sign at the driveway to the parking lot says Curry Campus, two very proud markers for years of accomplishments. The signs were donated by the SWOCC foundation. “We’re very excited to have the signs as they also mark thirty years that SWOCC has been providing continuing education in Curry County, so that’s a big accomplishment here,” said TeVelde. Since its inception, 30 years ago, Curry Campus has had 18,789 students from Curry County who have enrolled in 126,817 classes. Beyond the two-year degree programs, SWOCC also offers adult learning opportunities, certificates and pathways certificates of completions for certain programs, nursing education and more. For more information about SWOCC’s Cur ry Campus, log onto: https://www.socc.edu/ Providing History: Jill TeVelde Dean of Curry Campus, Workforce Developexplore-swocc/curry-campus or call: Student ment, gives a history of how it all began. Success Center 541-813-1667.

Phone Number: 541-813-1717 • Address: 519 Chetco Avenue, Unit 7, Brookings, OR 97415 • Email: Circulation@CountryMedia.net

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