The Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics (ODAA) and West Woodward airport have completed a multi-million dollar transformation with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on 13 February.

The event celebrated the opening of a new terminal building and several vital upgrades engineered to position Woodward as a prime hub for business and general aviation in the Western Oklahoma region.

Facilitated by the ODAA's five-year revolving Airport Construction Program (ACP) plan and fuelled by Oklahoma's Preserving Rural Economic Prosperity (PREP) programme, these improvements to West Woodward strengthen a vital link in the state's airport system. The total cost of the updates comes in at a little more than $12 million. They include a new terminal building and dedicated parking lot ($4 million); a corporate box hangar and expanded apron ($4.4 million); construction of new south taxilane and access road ($2.6 million); and utility infrastructure to support the terminal and hangar ($969,000).

The PREP fund, established by the Oklahoma Legislature in 2022, was created specifically to fuel economic growth and invest in workforce development in the state's rural areas. The improvements at West Woodward are examples of how those funds have been used to update infrastructure to facilitate commerce and travel within the state.

“Oklahoma's aerospace industry is a vital economic engine for our state,” comments Grayson Ardies, ODAA executive director. “The completion of these pro-growth projects at West Woodward ensures that Western Oklahoma remains competitive and capable of supporting the evolving needs of both corporate and general aviation.”

The ceremony featured remarks from Representatives Carl Newton and Mike Dobrinski (R-Woodward), Senator Casey Murdock (R-Woodward), Woodward city manager Shaun Barrett, and mayor Tom Fisher. The event drew a large crowd of local residents, aviation enthusiasts and pilots, with fly-ins arriving as early as 0930 to tour the new facilities.

“This investment is a game-changer for West Woodward and our entire city,” remarks Mayor Fisher. “Thanks to the State Legislature and our partners at ODAA, we are modernising our facilities to fuel job creation and long-term economic opportunity across Woodward County and throughout the Western Oklahoma region.”

With the addition of the new terminal and corporate hangar, the City of Woodward is focused on attracting new business tenants and increasing revenue-generating storage, securing a prosperous outlook for the greater regional economy.

Originally opened as Woodward Army Airfield in March of 1943, modern-day West Woodward airport serves as a gateway for Western Oklahoma, providing essential services for general aviation and corporate travel. Woodward features a 5,502 ft primary runway and a shorter 2,500 ft runway. The airport has 27 based aircraft and sees about 6,000 takeoffs and landings annually.