MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Last Thursday, May 12, an announcement was made that over 20 Alabama airports, including three local ones, were granted Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aid in the form of a $12.5 million grant.
U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby (R) said in a statement that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) awarded 26 grants to 25 different airports.
The funding for the grants comes from the annual appropriations package of the fiscal year 2022 Airport Improvement Program which was signed into law in March.
“I am pleased that [the] DOT recognizes the importance of investing in these 25 airports,” Shelby said. “The state of Alabama’s aviation industry is rapidly growing, and these safety and security advancements and infrastructure upgrades will be transformative. I look forward to seeing how this $12.5 million helps many of our airports better serve their communities and contribute to local economies.”
The three local airports that will receive portions of the $12.5 million total are Alexander City’s Thomas C. Russell Field Airport, the Sylacauga Municipal Airport, and the Talladega Municipal Airport.
Thomas C. Russell will receive $461,238 to expand an apron and reconstruct a taxi lane.
$300,000 is going to the Sylacauga Municipal Airport, also known as Merkel Field, to acquire land for development.
A taxiway rehabilitation for the Talladega Municipal Airport will cost $166,053.
The largest grant of $1,575,000 went to the Huntsville Executive Airport for constructing, extending, and improving a safety area at Tom Sharp, Jr. Field.