Maine And South Carolina to Benefit

Elected Representatives announced Friday that millions in airport grants will go to improve airports in Maine and South Carolina. Pilots flying into Maine will soon find improved facilities according to Congressmen Tom Allen and Michael Michaud. Not to be outdone, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina announced over $12 million in grants to airports in his state.

"FAA grants help immensely to fund expansion and continued service growth at the Portland International Jetport, Maine's busiest airport and one of the State's most important transportation hubs," Representative Allen said.  "FAA grants are also critical to sustain and expand aviation services essential to the economy and quality of life in the rural areas of Maine and America served by airports like those in Rockland and Wiscasset.   I am a strong and consistent proponent in Congress to increase FAA funding and provide crucial financial support to commercial and civil aviation."

The FAA awarded $3.9 million in grants to improve airports in Portland, Rockland and Wiscasset. The Portland International Jetport will rebuild four taxiways and realign them to work with the relocated runway currently under construction. Knox County Regional Airport in Rockland will receive $600,000 to do an environmental assessment, permitting, and then improvements to the access road, terminal, taxiway, signage, and fencing. $300,000 will go to the Wiscasset Airport to extend the partial parallel taxiway to provide a full parallel taxiway to the existing runway.

Another $2.8 million in funding was announced by Congressman Michaud. Seven additional Maine airports, in Bangor, Bar Harbor, Caribou, Old Town, Pittsfield, Presque Isle and Rangeley will receive funding for improvements.

"I am very pleased that these deserving airports were awarded funding from the Federal Aviation Administration," said Michaud. "These projects will help local airports make improvements and facility upgrades that will ensure safe access to airfields throughout the Second District."

Bangor International Airport will use just over $517,729 to improve the runway safety area and $285,000 to acquire snow removal equipment. Bar Harbor will get  $405,000 to rehabilitate the runway and improve the terminal building. Dewitt Field in Old Town will use  $179,000 to improve runway safety. Pittsfield Municipal Airport will spend  $150,000 to construct a snow removal equipment building. The Steven A. Bean Municipal Airport in Rangeley will spend $400,000 for taxiway construction and other improvements.

Senator Lindsey Graham announced that 15 facilities in South Carolina would receive more than $12 million in FAA grants according to media reports. Myrtle Beach will receive $3.6 million for the construction of the first phase of a new terminal-area road system, and a new apron and taxiway system between the new terminal and the airfield.

The Georgetown County Airport will receive $1.2 million for improvements, including an environmental study, and Andrews Municipal will receive $150,000 to get started on design and clearing of the runway approach surfaces. Other airports receiving grants were located around Charleston, Columbia and Williamsburg.

FMI: www.faa.gov