The Port of Hood River Commission has decided to proceed with a long-planned project from the Ken Jernstedt Airfield that received a one-point-eight million dollar allocation from the Connect Oregon program three years ago.  The project is centered on the aviation technology and emergency response of the airfield at the North ramp to accommodate emergency helicopters, staging for emergency response, and eventually a shift of the location of the fixed based operator.  Port Commissioners approved awarding the contract to Tapani of Battle Ground for just over $1.88 million after bids came in below engineer’s estimates.  Port Executive Director Michael McElwee noted several of the bids were under the estimate.  McElwee added the Port will negotiate with the company about including installing fuel facilities in the project.