WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao today announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will award $478 million in airport infrastructure grants, the fourth 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 West Virginia 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:

Upshur County Regional in Buckhannon, $152,723–grant reimburses the airport for a portion of the cost to build a new hangar.

Fairmont Municipal/Frankman Field, $91,800–grant funds the removal of trees fromeach end of Runway 5/23.

Tri-State/Milton J. Ferguson Field in Huntington, $4,819,365 – grant funds improvement of the Runway Safety Area of Runway 12/30.

Greenbrier Valley in Lewisburg, $142,500 – grant funds an airfield drainage study.

Morgantown Municipal, $867,000 – grant funds installation of navigational aids, improvement to airfield drainage, and rebuild a taxiway.

Grant County in Petersburg, $85,000 – grant funds the building of a hangar.

Philippi/Barbour County Regional in Philippi, $88,991- grant funds the building of a hangar.

Kee Field in Pineville, $300,000 – grant funds the rehabilitation of the runway.

Braxton County in Sutton, $600,000 – grant funds the building of a hangar.

The State of West Virginia, $400,000 – grant funds a state system plan study.

The FAA will award grants to 232 airports in 43 states, including American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands and Puerto Rico. 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 these grants will enhance safety and capacity while promoting economic growth in the regions served by each airport.

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.