07/24/2026
Airport Director Carlos Laverty recently traveled to Washington, DC, for the U.S. Contract Tower Association Annual Conference, where airport leaders, federal officials, and aviation professionals gathered to discuss the future of the federal contract tower program, air traffic control modernization, aviation safety, infrastructure investment, and the needs of regional airports.
During the trip, Director Laverty met with Senator Todd Young to discuss several priorities affecting the Monroe County Airport. Their conversation included the urgent need to modernize BMG’s aging air traffic control tower, the potential development of a joint use terminal serving general aviation and Indiana University charter operations, the airport’s role in Indiana’s emerging drone initiatives, and the importance of developing airport property to support long term financial sustainability and regional economic growth.
Director Laverty also had the opportunity to speak with Congressman André Carson about the potential advantages and concerns associated with artificial intelligence in the air traffic control environment. They also discussed the importance of dependable federal funding for regional airports and the critical role those airports play in economic development, public safety, business aviation, and access to the national transportation system.
The trip provided an important opportunity to ensure that the needs, challenges, and potential of the Monroe County Airport remain part of the national aviation conversation.