By 2019, Grove City Airport should be more commercial, profitable and high-tech.

The regional airport has many different projects planned for the next 12 years, according to borough councilman Rich Talbert, chairman of the Grove City Airport committee.

The committee, composed of Talbert, Jeff Black and Joseph Pisano, met at the airport May 8 to discuss upcoming projects and upgrades. Borough manager Vance Oakes and councilman Patrick Chapman also attended the meeting.

According to Oakes, Grove City Airport has both five- and 12-year plans, required by PennDOT. Talbert added that planned projects are not set in stone and can be altered from year to year.

One planned project for 2008 is a new t-hangar building, Oakes said.

T-hangars are the most common type of storage space for aircraft with wingspans up to about 40 feet. They are considered versatile as they provide ample room for most general aviation aircraft, as well as space to store aircraft equipment.

The name “t-hangar” comes from the formation in which the planes are stored, Talbert said.

The new t-hangar will be constructed next to an existing hangar, and each will be able to hold 10 airplanes, Oakes said.

The committee also has plans to seal any cracks or marks in both runways this year, Oakes said.

The existing main hangar that is being used for warehousing could be used for other purposes, such as a repair garage, Talbert said. However, the main doors are inoperable and the cost to replace them is roughly $80,000.

Other future projects include lengthening both runways, replacing their lighting systems and relocating the “fuel farm,” or fueling station.

Underground fuel storage has caused problems in the past, and Talbert said moving the fuel farm above ground would solve them.

Talbert said longer runways would expand the types of planes that could land and take off at Grove City Airport.

But Talbert said swamps on both ends of the runways present problems for any type of expansion since they are considered protected wetlands by the Department of Environmental Protection.

The cost of the expansion, estimated at $2.8 million, also presents a problem for the airport committee. Oakes said most of the projects are funded by federal grants.