On January 26, 2012, the Department of Aeronautics "Airport of the Year Award" was presented to Airport Manager Mark Cozad and Jim Murphy, Vice Chair of the Columbus Board of Airport Commissioners, at the Nebraska Aviation Symposium in Kearney, NE.
Under the direction of Mark Cozad, the airport has undertaken several projects that show the airport is definitely in the city’s hands. Some of these projects include a new after-hours pilot lounge, new security system, purchase of snow-removal equipment; and several safety and environmental upgrades and plans that were put in place.