The Federal Aviation Administration awarded Louisville/ Winston County Airport grant totaling $4.2 million as part of its plan to build a new runway.
The grant, announced by U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, was part of $779 million in supplemental funding for infrastructure grants to 127 airports in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. . It is significant to note that 53 airports in the state of Mississippi submitted proposals for funding, but only 3 were chosen: Columbia, Golden Triangle, and Louisville-Winston County.
“This supplemental funding allows us to invest in important infrastructure needs at the nation’s airports, especially those serving smaller and rural communities,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao.
The selected airports will receive funding for construction or equipment to increase their safety, capacity, and security. Airports are vital to the local and regional economy and support critical transportation needs.
Louisville/Winston County Airport will use the grant to eliminate a line of sight issue with the existing runway and extend it 150 feet to the south. They will also install new LED runway lighting, replacing the old technology approach lighting system, and then overlay the entire 4669' with 4-6" of fresh asphalt. In addition, they will address some drainage issues on the west side of the runway.
“Eliminating the line of sight issue will make the airport safer and replacing the old light system with energy saving LEDS should save thousands of dollars in energy costs in the future,” said Mike Forster of the Louisville/Winston County Airport Board.
“With the $900,000 project on the ramp area completed just last year, this will give the airport a totally up to date passenger and air-side infrastructure. Coupled with the new Terminal Building and corporate hangar constructed in the two previous years, I am confident in saying that there will be no finer airport facility in a city and county of our size in the state of Mississippi…perhaps in the Southeast,” stated Forster.
He added, “I wish to thank city aldermen, the mayor and the board of supervisors for their continued support of the work your airport board is doing to develop an airport that will serve the needs of our citizens for many decades to come.”
This FAA funding nationwide is in addition to the $3.31 billion awarded in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding during fiscal year 2018, and $205 million awarded in the first tranche of supplemental AIP funding in September 2018. The recipients of the selected grants will meet any remaining required approvals. Selected projects include runway reconstruction and rehabilitation, and the maintenance of taxiways, aprons, and terminals. The construction and equipment supported by this funding increase the airports’ safety, emergency response capabilities, capacity, and could support further potential growth and development within each airport’s region.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published a Federal Register notice on July 9, 2018, explaining the evaluation criteria and submission process. After the FAA awarded $205 million to 37 airports in 34 states in September 2018, airports in October 2018 submitted additional funding requests for grant awards in fiscal years 2019 or 2020.
Under the Secretary’s leadership, the FAA is administering the supplemental funding to strengthen the safety and efficiency of America’s airports. These investments increase the nation’s competitiveness and improve the quality of life for the traveling public. According to the FAA’s most recent economic analysis, U.S. civil aviation accounts for $1.6 trillion in total economic activity and supports nearly 11 million jobs.
Airports can receive a certain amount of AIP funding each year based on activity levels and project needs. The federal agency routinely funds such infrastructure projects as runways, taxiways, aprons and terminal projects. Those funds require a 5 percent match from the state, city and county. This supplemental grant requires no fund match.
Forster noted that the airport will continue to apply for grants with an eye on improving the airport all around including upgrading and remodeling at least one hanger.
