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 Mississippi 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:

Brookhaven-Lincoln County Airport in Brookhaven, $190,000 – grant funds will be used to extend a taxiway.

Golden Triangle Regional Airport in Columbus, $1 million – grant funds will be used to acquire airport safety and security equipment, expand a building and conduct miscellaneous improvements.

Roscoe Turner Airport in Corinth, $635,920 – grant funds will be used to improve airport drainage and remove obstructions.

Hattiesburg Bobby L. Chain Municipal Airport in Hattiesburg, $744,205 – grant funds will be used to improve airport drainage.

Hawkins Field Airport in Jackson, $5 million–grant funds will be used to rehabilitate an airport runway.

Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport in Jackson, $5 million – grant funds will be used to rehabilitate terminal building and airport access road.

Louisville Winston County Airport in Louisville, $255,150 – grant funds will be used to acquire land for airport approach area.

Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport in Moselle, $533,119 – grant funds will be used to rehabilitate runway, airport ramp area, taxiway and parking lot.

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.