More than $337,000 in state grants are heading to 20 local airports across Alabama, thanks to the Alabama Department of Transportation’s latest round of funding under its Alabama Airport Improvement Funding Program.
The program provides financial and technical support for public-use airports to undertake essential infrastructure projects. Funded improvements include runway rehabilitation, apron construction, hangar expansion, taxiway resurfacing, obstruction removal, and facility upgrades.
“Local airports are critical to connecting our communities and supporting Alabama’s economy,” said Frank Farmer, Bureau Chief of ALDOT’s Aeronautics Bureau. “This funding helps strengthen infrastructure, improve safety and support essential air services in all parts of the state.”
Projects across the state
- Pryor Field Regional Airport in Limestone County received the highest state grant—$32,217—to help construct an apron for northwest hangar development. The total project cost is over $1.28 million, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) contributing $1.22 million.
- South Alabama Regional Airport secured $31,628 in state support to rehabilitate a parallel taxiway and connectors, with over $1.2 million in additional FAA funding.
- Huntsville Executive Airport was granted $30,012 for reconstructing the north general aviation apron and improving drainage infrastructure.
- Fayette Municipal Airport obtained $29,277 to expand the main apron, repair a runway culvert, and construct a new hangar building. The total project investment exceeds $1.19 million.
Several smaller airports also received assistance
- Florala Municipal Airport and Foley Municipal Airport were each awarded just over $3,600 to help construct a fuel farm and an 8-unit T-Hangar, respectively.
- Ozark Municipal Airport received $3,947 in state funds for a corporate hangar project totaling $157,895.
Funding Breakdown
Each project includes a mix of funding from ALDOT, local airport sponsors, and the FAA. While ALDOT’s portion of funding totals just over $337,000, federal contributions from the FAA exceed $11.5 million, demonstrating a significant leveraging of state dollars for aviation infrastructure. Including:
- Cullman Regional Airport – Folsom Field will use $10,873 from the state alongside more than $413,000 in FAA support to reseal the terminal apron and complete Phase 3 of a midfield taxiway.
- Russellville Municipal Airport received nearly $12,000 in state funds to reseal its main apron and install a precision approach path indicator system—complemented by over $455,000 from the FAA.
Other funded airports
In addition to the airports highlighted above, the following locations also received grants under ALDOT’s program:
- Abbeville Municipal Airport – Construct taxilanes for T-Hangar access and rehabilitate apron.
- Auburn University Regional Airport – Expand terminal apron (north), Phases 3 & 4.
- Dothan Regional Airport – Acquire ARFF vehicle meeting Index B requirements.
- Eufaula Municipal Airport – Sealcoat and remark runway 18/36 and apron.
- L. “Sonny” Callahan Airport (Fairhope) – Rehabilitate taxiway lighting, Taxiway-A – Phase 2.
- Haleyville Airport – Posey Field – Remove obstructions at runway 18 & 36.
- Hartselle-Morgan County Regional Airport – Reseal runways 18 & 36 and apron (Phases 1 and 2).
- Marion County – Rankin Fite Airport – Reseal partial parallel taxiway and main apron.
- Northwest Alabama Regional Airport – Construct safety areas for Runway 12 & 30.
- Walker County Airport – Rehabilitate parallel taxiway (Phase 1).
- Geneva Municipal Airport – Construct north general aviation apron.
The Alabama Airport Improvement Funding Program helps airport owners plan, build, and maintain aviation facilities. In addition to funding, ALDOT also offers engineering and technical assistance for approved projects.
