The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded $205 million in supplemental funding for infrastructure grants to 37 small airports in 34 states, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao announced this week.
The funding is in addition to the $3.31 billion the Airport Improvement Program awarded during fiscal year 2018.
“This $205 million in Airport Improvement Program grants directly addresses the need for improved aviation infrastructure – especially in rural communities,” Chao said.
General aviation airports serving rural communities accounted for more than half of the awards.
Projects include the maintenance of taxiways, aprons and terminals, and runway reconstruction and rehabilitation.
Equipment purchases and construction projects must increase airport capacity or safety, or solve related issues. Improvements also could foster growth and support development within the airport’s region.
Congress approved supplemental funding through the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 and the FAA explained the rules, criteria and submission process in July.
During fiscal years 2019 and 2020, the FAA will award an additional $1 billion. The application deadline for those awards was Oct. 31.
The nation’s 3,300 civil aviation airports generate $1.6 trillion in economic activity and support nearly 11 million jobs, according to the FAA’s most recent economic analysis.