“Infrastructure projects funded by these grants will advance safety, improve travel, generate jobs and provide other economic benefits for local communities,” Chao said.
Projects include runway reconstruction and rehabilitation, construction of firefighting facilities, noise mitigation, emissions reduction and the maintenance of taxiways, aprons and terminals. The construction and equipment supported by this funding increase the airports’ safety, emergency response capabilities and capacity, and could support further economic growth and development within each airport’s region.
Airport infrastructure in the United States, with 3,332 airports and 5,000 paved runways, supports our economic competitiveness and improves quality of life. According to the FAA’s most recent economic analysis, U.S. civil aviation accounts for $1.6 trillion in total economic activity and supports nearly 11 million jobs. Under Chao’s leadership, the department is delivering AIP investments for the American people, who depend on reliable infrastructure.
Airports can receive a certain amount of AIP entitlement funding each year based on activity levels and project needs. If their capital project needs exceed their available entitlement funds, the FAA can supplement their entitlements with discretionary funding.
Some of the grant awards in the Dixie Contractor area include:
- Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport in Alabama received two grants for $10.4 million and $284,000. The grants will fund the acquirement of an aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle, construction of an aircraft rescue and firefighting building and improvements to airport drainage.
- Huntsville International-Carl T. Jones Field Airport in Alabama received a grant for $9 million. The grant will fund the construction of a taxiway, reconstruction of airfield guidance signs and taxiway lighting and rehabilitation of an apron, runway and four taxiways.
- St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport in Florida received a grant for $15.7 million. The grant will fund the rehabilitation of a runway.
- Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport in Florida received two grants for $20 million and $24.7 million. The grants will fund the extension of a runway and the rehabilitation of another runway.
- Gainesville Regional Airport in Florida received a grant for $10.2 million. The grant will fund the expansion of a terminal building.
- Key West International Airport in Florida received two grants for $7 million and $6.5 million. The grants will fund the rehabilitation of a taxiway and taxiway lighting and noise mitigation measures.
- Lakeland Linder International Airport in Florida received a grant for $10.3 million. The grant will fund the reconstruction and strengthening of a runway.
- Orlando International Airport in Florida received a grant for $16.5 million. The grant will fund the rehabilitation of a runway.
- Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport in Florida received two grants for $9 million and $129,000. The grants will fund the construction of an apron and taxiway, expansion of a terminal building and environmental mitigation.
- Punta Gorda Airport in Florida received a grant for $6.4 million. The grant will fund the rehabilitation of a runway and wildlife hazard assessments.
- Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport in Florida received three grants for $6.8 million, $873,000 and $1.5 million. The grants will fund the improvements to airport drainage, an update to the airport master plan study and the rehabilitation of a taxiway and an aircraft rescue and firefighting building.
- Columbus Airport in Georgia received a grant for $9.7 million. The grant will fund the modification of a terminal building.
- McGhee Tyson Airport in Tennessee received a grant for $14.8 million. The grant will fund the reconstruction of a runway.
- Nashville International Airport in Tennessee received a grant for $8.8 million. The grant will fund the reconstruction of a taxiway.
