U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL) on Tuesday announced the allocation of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grants which will serve to benefit the infrastructure needs of five local airports across the state of Alabama.
The funding, which totals $4.3 million, was awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for various airport improvements to support infrastructure construction, safety advances and land acquisition.
Alabama’s senior senator praised the allotment of the FAA grants which he says will prove beneficial to the state’s local economies.
“I am proud Alabama is receiving $4.3 million in federal funding to enhance the development of our airport infrastructure,” said Shelby. “These five grants are important investments in the safety, efficiency, and expansion of large and small airports around our state. Further, local communities will be directly impacted by these advancements, which will help improve the quality of life for residents, increase tourism, and drive development.”
I am proud that the @USDOT is granting $4.3M in FAA funding to enhance the development of our airport infrastructure. These grants are important investments in the safety, efficiency, and expansion of large and small airports around our state. @FAANews https://t.co/TiDbkgo8t7
— Richard Shelby (@SenShelby) September 21, 2021
According to the announcement, each of the five FAA grants are administered through the fiscal year 2021 (FY21) Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which was funded in the FY21 annual appropriations package that former President Donald Trump signed into law last year.
The five grants awarded to local Alabama airports were allocated to fund the following projects:
- Mobile Downtown Airport — $1.33 million for the construction, extension and improvement of safety areas
- Montgomery Regional Airport, Dannelly Field — $1.17 million for apron rehabilitation
- Bill Pugh Field Airport in Russellville — $1.06 million for the rehabilitation of a runway and runway lighting
- Monroe County Aeroplex Airport in Monroeville — $385,146 for the acquisition of land for developmental purposes
- Bessemer Airport — $346,619 for the rehabilitation of a taxiway and taxiway lighting
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
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