Five Oregon airports recently received $14.3 million in federal Transportation Department grants for aviation training and facility improvements.
“In this day and age, high-quality, reliable airport service is critical to creating jobs and growing local economies,” U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) said. “We need to make sure that smaller communities aren’t left behind in this global era. These grants will help support crucial air service in communities throughout our state.”
Hillsboro Airport was awarded $12.3 million; Albany Municipal Airport received $950,000; Crater Lake-Klamath Regional Airport received $620,000; Bend Municipal Airport received $279,249; and Grants Pass Airport received $150,000.
Secure and reliable airport service is critical to job creation and economic growth, ensuring smaller communities are not left behind, U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) said.
Crater Lake-Klamath Regional Airport’s grant award follows the cancellation of a $4.5 million east side airport expansion project. Construction bids had increased the price of the project from between $1 million and $2 million. Airport officials cite steel tariffs and $800,000 for foam fire safety enhancements required by the state as reasons for the cancellation.
The airport does not currently offer commercial air service but is contracted with the military. The facility recently completed a plan that weighs the possibility of commercial air service returning.