U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) recently spoke at a House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing on the importance of modernizing rural airports’ infrastructure.
“We all have the same goals,” Davis said. “We all want airport improvements, more airlines serving regional airports, like the ones in my district, and more competition in the airline industry. Investing in our infrastructure is a critical part of growing our economy and I encourage airline carriers, airports, and policymakers to come to a principled compromise that accomplishes these goals.”
Davis has worked to protect rural airports in Illinois.
Last fall, Davis along with Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL) secured four U.S. Department of Transportation grants for airports.
Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport was awarded $1.99 million to expand its terminal building to meet Federal Aviation Administration design standards and efficiently move passengers.
Decatur Airport was awarded $1.6 million to rehabilitate Runway 6/24.
Logan County Airport was awarded $1.2 million to rehabilitate Runway 3/21.
Central Illinois Regional Airport was awarded $991,773 to purchase a new high-speed runway broom and replace another. The brooms are used to keep the airport serviceable and safe when it snows.
Investing in infrastructure is a critical part of growing the economy,Davis said.