Butler Tech officially cut the ribbon Monday on a purpose-built Aviation Center beside Middletown Regional Airport, unveiling a $15 million, roughly 28,000-square-foot hangar and classroom complex for its high-school aviation program. The free-standing facility is designed to expand hands-on pathways in aircraft maintenance, flight training and aerospace engineering, giving students the chance to earn industry credentials before they even pick up a diploma. School and economic development leaders say the center is built to fuel a local pipeline of credentialed workers for nearby airports and aerospace employers.
Leaders Say The Center Will Build Local Talent
Dr. William T. Sprankles, Butler Tech's superintendent and CEO, called the project “the future of aviation” and said it gives students a chance to “train in a real aviation environment” and step directly into careers, according to WLWT. Adam Snoddy, the center's principal, described the opening as "a perfect example of community and economic development" and hosted a ribbon-cutting and tours of the new hangar, the report says.
Funding And Partners
The $15 million project came together with a mix of public and district funding: $7 million from the Butler County commissioners, $1 million from the JobsOhio Site Inventory Program, $500,000 from the City of Middletown and $6.5 million from Butler Tech itself, according to Butler Tech. Construction partner Skanska led the build, and officials highlight the center's proximity to CVG, Dayton International and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base as a strategic edge for work-based learning opportunities.
Program And Capacity
Butler Tech began holding classes in the new building in January, and officials say the upgraded space will allow the program to grow to more than 150 students each year after leaving behind the cramped, makeshift airport classrooms, as reported by the Journal-News. The curriculum covers aviation maintenance, private pilot and drone pathways and prepares students for FAA-recognized credentials such as Private Pilot, Remote Pilot (Part 107) and Airframe & Powerplant certifications.
Local Impact And Industry Ties
Construction hiring has already pumped local spending into Middletown, with Butler Tech's principal estimating the build generated more than $500,000 in economic activity and the project adding permanent district positions, per the Dayton Daily News. Industry partners including Magellan Aerospace, StandardAero and CTL Aerospace are listed among local employers expected to offer work-based learning and hiring pathways for students coming out of the program.
