A total of 16 New Mexico airports will benefit from construction and maintenance projects funded by $13,810,189 in federal dollars, care of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
That money is being earmarked for specific things: critical rehabilitation and efforts to repair and improve local airports. For some airports, this will be as simple as acquiring a large-scale vacuum sweeper, though for others it will mean major reconstruction efforts.
“Local airports are engines of economic growth and shared prosperity for communities across New Mexico. This critical funding will bolster regional economies, boost tourism, and ensure that pilots and travelers can fly safely and easily,” U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM) said. “As a member of the Senate Appropriations and Commerce Committees, I’ll keep fighting to secure strong federal investment to strengthen airport infrastructure and ensure access to safe, reliable air travel for each and every New Mexican.”
Those benefiting from the funds include Doña Ana County International Jetport, which will gain the largest share of funds to reconstruct 8,500 feet of the existing runway pavement. Others include Four Corners Regional Airport and Lea County Regional Airport, which will improve runway safety areas; Cavern City Air Terminal Airport, which will reconstruction 2,500 feet of Taxiway B’s pavement; Aztec Municipal Airport, to create a new runway and runway guidance system, and Deming Municipal Airport for runway rehabilitation and structural integrity efforts. The Andrew Othole Memorial Airport will receive funding for the creation of a master plan study to identify its needs. Smaller rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts will take place at Angel Fire Airport, Taos Regional Airport, Hatch Municipal Airport, Clayton Municipal Airpark Airport, Grants-Milan Municipal Airport, Vaughn Municipal Airport, Carrizozo Municipal Airport and Grant County Airport. Socorro Municipal Airport finishes things off with a $150,000 acquisition of a vacuum sweeper designed to remove airfield foreign object debris.
“Regional airports provide rural residents with more than just reliable air service, they are essential in drawing new businesses and services to southern New Mexico,” U.S. Rep. Xochitl Torres Small (D-NM) said. “These grants will enable our airports to modernize their infrastructure and enhance safety, while also strengthening local economies.”