U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao today announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will award $478 million in airport infrastructure grants, the fourth allotment of the total $3.18 billion in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding for airports across the United States.
“This significant investment in airport improvements in Florida will fund construction and rehabilitation projects that will help maintain high levels of safety in U.S. aviation,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.
The Florida grants include:
- Hilliard Airpark in Hilliard, $150,000 to acquire land for runway approach areas.
- Inverness Airport in Inverness, $236,043 to rehabilitate a runway and conduct an aeronautical study for a new satellite based navigation approach for the airport.
- Key West International Airport, $9.3 million to rehabilitate a taxiway and taxiway lighting.
- La Belle Municipal Airport in La Belle, $113,818 to rehabilitate a taxiway.
- Lake Wales Municipal Airport in Lake Wales, $225,240 to update the airport master plan.
- Naples Municipal Airport, $600,000 to conduct an airport noise compatibility plan study.
- Orlando Executive Airport, $4.2 million to rehabilitate a taxiway.
- Palatka-Kay Larkin Municipal Airport in Palatka, $453,736 to install taxiway lighting and construct a runway.
- Punta Gorda Airport, $6.4 million to conduct a wildlife hazard assessment and rehabilitate a runway.
- Winter Haven Regional Airport in Winter Haven, $72,000 to extend a runway.
The FAA will award grants to 232 airports in 43 states, including American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands and Puerto Rico. Selected projects include runway reconstruction and rehabilitation, construction of firefighting facilities, and the maintenance of taxiways, aprons, and terminals. The construction and equipment supported by these grants will enhance safety and capacity while promoting economic growth in the regions served by each airport.
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 Secretary 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.