$6.5 Million In Airport Improvement Grants Distributed Around The State

Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell (pictured, below) announced the investment of $6.5 million for safety improvements and facility maintenance at 10 airports on Friday.

"Ensuring that our airports operate safely and efficiently is critical to maintaining Pennsylvania's transportation infrastructure," Governor Rendell said. "The aviation industry is responsible for more than $12 billion in state revenue each year, and this investment helps sustain communities and retain jobs across Pennsylvania."

The state portion of funding -- $364,917 from PennDOT's aviation development program -- comes from the state's jet fuel tax and leverages $159,654 in local matching funds.

The Federal Aviation Administration is providing nearly $6.2 million in grants through the block grant program, which is funded through taxes collected nationally on airline tickets, freight waybills, international departure fees, and the sale of aviation fuel. Airports receive up to 95 percent of eligible costs for projects included in Pennsylvania's 12-year transportation program.

Public-use airports in the commonwealth are eligible for the aviation development program. Airports eligible for the federal block grant program include: general aviation airports, designated reliever airports, and non-primary commercial airline airports (those with less than 10,000 annual passengers) that are part of the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems.

Pennsylvania has 135 public-use airports and heliports and 14 airports have scheduled commercial service.

FMI: www.governor.state.pa.us