USDOT announces $10M+ grant for Columbia-Marion County Airport
(The following is a press release from the FAA.)
WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao today announced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded $10.2 Million in supplemental funding to Columbia-Marion County Airport for airport infrastructure grants. This funding is in addition to the $45.4 million already awarded to Mississippi in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding through this current fiscal year. Overall, Secretary Chao has announced $3.1 billion in regular AIP grants nationally this year alone.
“This additional funding will help revitalize and strengthen critical infrastructure projects at airports like Columbia-Marion County,” said Secretary Chao.
The grant will provide funding for runway widening and extension. This grant is one of 37 grants to airports in 34 states. These projects include runway reconstruction and rehabilitation, and the maintenance of taxiways, aprons, terminals and other infrastructure projects. The construction and equipment supported by this funding increases the airport’s safety, capacity, and related issues. These improvements could support further potential growth and development within each airport’s region.
Congress provided the supplemental funding through the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018. The FAA published a Federal Register notice on July 9, 2018, which explained the statutory rules, evaluation criteria, and the submission process. The remainder of the $1 billion will be awarded during FY 2019 and 2020, based on requests submitted by October 31.
Under the Secretary’s leadership, the FAA will administer the supplemental program in coordination with the regular annual AIP grant program to strengthen the safety and efficiency of America’s airports. U.S. infrastructure, especially its 3,300 airports increases the country’s competitiveness and improves the traveling public’s 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.
