MIDDLETOWN, OH — Construction of the Butler Tech Aviation Education Hangar at Middletown Regional Airport has reached a significant milestone, bringing the project closer to transforming aviation education and creating jobs in Cincinnati, Ohio, and across the Midwest. Skanska recently topped out the building, completing the structural framework for the 28,000-square-foot, $15 million facility.

Topping out is a tradition in the construction industry symbolizing the placement of the final beam atop a structure. Representatives from Butler Tech, Skanska, and emersion DESIGN attended it. The topping out ceremony celebrates the collaborative efforts that have brought the project to this point.

"This facility represents a significant investment in the future of aviation education and workforce development in Butler County," said Nate Minnich-Weber, Project Executive for Skanska USA Building. "We are thrilled to be part of a project that will have a lasting impact on the education and career readiness of students entering this rigorous, high-demand field."

Upon completion in 2026, the Butler Tech Aviation Education Hangar will serve as a hub for innovation, preparing students for careers in the aviation industry. The facility will feature 8,500 square feet of hangar space, along with dedicated areas for offices, classrooms, and labs. Designed to support Butler Tech’s aviation career pathways, it will offer students hands-on learning experiences in aviation maintenance, engineering, private piloting, and unmanned aircraft systems, while its location near several major airports and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base will provide opportunities for students to engage with industry professionals and gain real-world aviation experience.

The project has garnered substantial support from various partners, including $7 million from the Butler County Commissioners, $500,000 from the City of Middletown, $1 million from the JobsOhio Site Inventory Program, and $6.5 million from Butler Tech.