Demolition - Talbot County Business Center
Airfield Modernization Program - Phase Two
The demolition of the former Talbot County Business Center, once a Black & Decker Factory, is scheduled for 2025 as part of Easton Airport’s Airfield Modernization Program. This step is crucial to repurposing the land for updated aviation infrastructure, enhancing operational safety, and improving efficiency. More details on the modernization goals and phased improvements are available on Easton Airport’s Projects Page.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
It’s important for the community to have access to factual and accurate data when questions or concerns arise about the airport’s growth. These responses, provided by Easton Airport Manager Micah Risher, reflect the most reliable information about Easton Airport’s future, particularly regarding the demolition. For questions or comments, please email .
Click here to read questions answered during the Obstruction Removal Program phase.
Click here to read questions answered about the entire Airfield Modernization Program.
The Talbot County Business Center sits on property southwest of Runway 4/22. That area will become part of the Runway Protection Zone (RPZ). It is a trapezoidal area “off the end of the runway end that serves to enhance the protection of people and property on the ground” in the event an aircraft lands or crashes beyond the runway end. Runway Protection Zones underlie a portion of the approach closest to the airport.
Once the building is demolished and the project is complete, that property will become mostly “green space”, with some airfield lighting enclosed by security fencing.
New fencing was installed in 2024 to secure the Airport Operations Area (AOA). The AOA is the controlled portion of an airport which includes all areas within the airport perimeter fence that are designated and used for aircraft landing, takeoff, or ground maneuvers, including ramps, aprons, runways, and taxiways.
Demolition work began in January 2025 and is expected to be completed by October 2025. The initial phases will occur inside of the building, removing systems that are salvageable or recyclable. Once all environmental testing and mitigation is completed, the exterior walls will demolished.
Reynolds Excavating Inc. is the prime contractor for Construction Package 2 (2025). Only their employees and subcontractors are permitted to participate.
No adverse environmental impacts are expected during the demolition. Extensive steps have been taken to develop an Environmental Management Plan (which can be found here) to ensure any environmentally sensitive materials are legally abated prior to demolition. Air quality monitoring equipment will be placed at the boundary of the work zone to monitor air quality throughout the demolition.
That area will become part of the Runway Protection Zone (RPZ). Once the building is demolished and the project is complete, that property will become mostly “green space”, with some airfield lighting enclosed by security fencing.
Acquisition of the property was funded by Easton Airport with 90% of the funding coming from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP).
The AIP program is funded by the Airport and Airway Trust Fund (AATF) which was created in 1970 to finance aviation programs throughout the country. Revenues are derived from aviation-related excise taxes on passengers, cargo, and fuel which then provide funding for capital improvements to the U.S. airport and airways system.
The State of Maryland – Maryland Aviation Administration contributes 5% to support the cost of all AIP-approved construction projects.
As a self-sustaining enterprise fund of Talbot County Government, Easton Airport pays for the remaining 5%.
All the tenants that occupied the building moved out in 2023 and 2024.
Reynolds Excavating Inc. is recycling the metal materials as part of their contract. Materials such as blocks, concrete floor pads, and asphalt parking lots will be crushed on-site and reused on the new airfield. Suitable materials will be used to construct service roads and supplement the construction of taxiways and the new runway sub-base.
Most of the site will be restricted after the redevelopment as it will be a part of the Runway Protection Zone and Airport Operations Area. A small portion may serve as a future aircraft operations viewing area once the Airfield Modernization Program is substantially complete.