WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao today announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will award $495 million in airport infrastructure grants, the second 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 Minnesota will fund construction and rehabilitation projects that will help maintain high levels of safety in U.S. aviation,” said U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

The grants include:

• Aitkin/Steve Kurtz Field - $139,500 to buy snow removal equipment
• Benson Municipal - $330,000 to build terminal building
• Blaine/Anoka County–$384,462 to rehabilitate service road
• Canby/Myers Field–$43,000 to build taxiway
• Crookston/Kirkwood Field - $315,000 to update Airport Master Plan Study
• Duluth International - $600,000 to conduct Noise Compatibility Study
• Ely Municipal - $150,000 to build and rehabilitate taxiways
• Grand Marais/Cook Co.–$194,344 to extend runways
• Grand Rapids/Itasca Co.–$150,000 to buy snow removal equipment
• Hibbing/Range Regional–$1,010,792 to rebuild parking lot
• St. Cloud Regional–$1,000,000 to build taxiway
• Tower Municipal–$117,630 to build snow removal equipment building and rehabilitate runway
• Windom Municipal–$432,210 to build building

A total of 358 grants in 46 states and the Pacific Islands will fund infrastructure projects at 381 airports around the country. 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.

Click on the link below for a complete listing of grants: https://www.faa.gov/airports/aip/grantapportion_data/