IRON MOUNTAIN — Dickinson County will use federal funds to buy land near Ford Airport, accepting a $230,000 price Monday for about 23 acres that includes a garage and large storage building.

County board members had visited the two-parcel site Thursday, agreeing to move quickly to acquire the estate property.

The land along Wagner Drive and Riverhills Road is north of the airport and adds to the runway protection zone. Previously, the board had used Federal Aviation Administration funds to acquire a 40-acre parcel in the same area when it came up for sale in 2021.

The value of the storage building, which could be used by the sheriff’s department and other county agencies, was a factor in the acquisition. Timber might also be harvested.

The county will use American Rescue Plan Act funds for the purchase, anticipating reimbursement from the FAA, Controller Brian Bousley said.

The county is receiving $4.9 million through ARP, which is a federal pandemic aid package authorized in March 2021.

In other action during a special meeting Monday morning, the board:

— Agreed to transfer $283,110 in ARP funds to eliminate a deficit in the airport fund, negating the need for a county general fund allocation.

— Allocated $30,000 in ARP funds to Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 439 to purchase building materials for its hangar at Ford Airport. The EAA serves as a host for the annual Ford Airport Day, scheduled this year for Saturday, Sept. 24.

— Authorized $80,000 in ARP funds for the Dickinson County Land Bank to be used for abatements, assessments and raising projects. The money will enable demolition of the former Oliva’s Market at 431 Vulcan St. in Iron Mountain.

— Accepted Pella Corp. as the supplier for a courthouse window replacement project. On Aug. 8, the board had accepted a $51,004 bid from Pella to replace windows on the building’s east side. The ARP-funded project will be expanded to the entire structure.

Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-2772 ext. 226.