WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao today announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will award $477 million in airport infrastructure grants, the third allotment of the total $3.18 billion in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding for airports across the United States.

“This significant investment in airport improvements in Ohio will fund construction and rehabilitation projects that will help maintain high levels of safety in U.S. aviation,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

The grants to airports in Ohio include the following awards:

$189,959 to Bellefontaine Regional Airport to rehabilitate an apron.

$141,939 to Bluffton Airport to install beacons and rehabilitate lighting.

$452,876 to Galion Municipal Airport in Crestline to rehabilitate a taxiway, rehabilitate a runway, rehabilitate an apron, rehabilitate runway and taxiway lights.

$1,260,000 to James M. Cox International Airport in Dayton to update the Master Plan Study.

$6,735,907 to James M. Cox International Airport in Dayton to rehabilitate an apron, buy firefighting vehicle, and buy snow removal equipment.

$252,990 to Hardin County Airport in Kenton to buy snow removal equipment and remove hazards.

$139,881 to Lorain County Regional Airport to rehabilitate an access road.

$406,800 to Medina Municipal Airport to build a taxiway.

$2,338,861 to North Bass Island Airport to rehabilitate a runway and an apron.

$175,500 to Putnam County Airport to install beacons, buy land and rehabilitate a runway.

$180,000 to Sidney Municipal Airport to build an apron and rehabilitate a runway.

$81,450 to Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport to rehabilitate a runway.

$273,735 to Grimes Field in Urbana to extend a taxiway.

$52,200 to Clinton Field in Wilmington to conduct a wildlife hazards assessment and install runway lighting.

There will be a total of 276 grants to 264 airports in 44 states, the Pacific Islands, and the District of Columbia. Selected projects include runway reconstruction and rehabilitation, construction of firefighting facilities, and the maintenance of taxiways, aprons, and terminals. The construction and equipment supported by this funding increases the airports’ safety, emergency response capabilities, and capacity, and could support further economic growth and development within each airport’s region.

Airport infrastructure in the United States, with 3,332 airports and 5,000 paved runways, supports our economic competitiveness and improves quality of life. 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. Under Secretary Chao’s leadership, the Department is delivering AIP investments for the American people, who depend on reliable infrastructure. 

Airports can receive a certain amount of AIP entitlement funding each year based on activity levels and project needs. If their capital project needs exceed their available entitlement funds, the FAA can supplement their entitlements with discretionary funding.