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 South Carolina 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 following airports will receive grants:

Aiken Regional Airport in Aiken, $351,450 – grant funds will be used to construct an airport apron.

Barnwell Regional Airport in Barnwell, $121,803 – grant funds will be used to rehabilitate an airport apron.

Marlboro County Jetport in Bennettsville, $347,944 – grant funds will be used to rehabilitate an airport apron.

Columbia Metropolitan Airport in Columbia, $3.7 million – grant funds will be used to improve an airport terminal and update Airport Master Plan.

Jim Hamilton L.B. Owen Airport in Columbia, $550,000 – grant funds will be used to rehabilitate airport drainage, access road, taxiway, apron and install perimeter fencing.

Greenville Downtown Airport in Greenville, $300,000 – grant funds will be used to update Airport Master Plan Study.

Greenwood County Airport in Greenwood, $964,275 – grant funds will be used to rehabilitate a taxiway.

Grand Strand Airport in Myrtle Beach, $3.5 million – grant funds will be used to rehabilitate a taxiway.

Rock Hill York County Airport in Rock Hill, $92,340 – grant funds will be used to improve airport drainage.

Oconee County Regional in Seneca, $1 million – grant funds will be used to expand an airport apron.

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.