Wilmington airport facility name to honor retired Sen. Tom Carper
Delaware River & Bay Authority commissioners recently passed Resolution 25-28 to recognize and honor former U.S. Sen. Thomas R. Carper. D.-Del., by designating the Wilmington Airport Passenger Terminal as the Thomas R. Carper Passenger Terminal Facility at the Wilmington Airport.
The dedication came shortly after Carper’s retirement Jan. 3, and reflects his commitment of more than 50 years to the State of Delaware and his positive influence on the DRBA.
“On behalf of the DRBA, we’d like to recognize Sen. Carper for his steadfast advocacy and support of our organization throughout his career,” said Thomas J. Cook, executive director. “Upon the news of his retirement, it made perfect sense to acknowledge Sen. Carper, a distinguished member of the Delaware Aviation Hall of Fame, by naming our renovated and expanded terminal facility in his honor. From championing the DRBA’s 1995 acquisition of ILG, to relentlessly vying for grants to enhance infrastructure improvements and promote economic growth, Sen. Carper will forever be fondly remembered here at the DRBA.”
“Sen. Carper's love of flight and commitment to supporting aviation in Delaware was crucial in keeping Wilmington Airport competitive,” said Ben Clendaniel, AAE, director of airport operations. “As [it is] Delaware's only commercial service airport, he recognized the airport's importance of putting Delaware on the map by enhancing access to air travel for Delawareans and attracting new economic opportunities including aviation jobs to our region. Because of his dedication, we’ve been able to continually strengthen our ability to improve the customer experience and expand connectivity in our community.”
After serving as a flight officer in the U.S. Navy, including three tours during the Vietnam War, Carper began his public service career as state treasurer, taking the oath of office in January 1977. Since then, he has served as Delaware’s only congressman while a member of the House of Representatives from 1983 to 1992, as governor of Delaware from 1993 to 2000, and as a U.S. senator from 2001 until his retirement.
During his career, Carper focused tirelessly on Delaware’s economic development and worked closely with the DRBA, where he was instrumental in helping expand and support the organization.
Most recently, in 2024, Carper joined forces with the Delaware congressional delegation and was instrumental in securing a $5.6 million grant award through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's Airport Terminal Program, designated to address aging infrastructure and expand opportunities for the local community. These funds have greatly assisted with funding the current $9.8 million passenger terminal expansion project, slated to be completed this fall.
Carper also strongly advocated for and won a $20 million grant award in 2023 from the U.S. Department of Transportation to help fund the design and construction of a new diesel-hybrid replacement ferry, which serves traveling passengers between Lewes and Cape May, N.J. His role was also critical in the 2018 award of a $22.25 million Department of Transportation grant for improvements to the Delaware Memorial Bridge, upon which millions of vehicles depend annually.
