Administration Looking to Fund Projects for Climate, Access, and Sustainability

The FAA has opened the application process for those towns and airports looking to address shortcomings in their air traffic control facilities, freshly funded and ready to assist. 

The FAA has made $20 million available from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for the modernization of ATC towers at small and municipal airports around the country. Currently, the administration finds 156 locations eligible for the funding, depending on the size and level of activity. 

The FAA Contract Tower Competitive Grant Program will receive $20 million in grants every year through fiscal year 2026, to "sustain, construct, repair, improve, rehabilitate, modernize, replace, or relocate nonapproach control towers; acquire and install air traffic control, communications, and related equipment to be used in those towers." 

Interested entities can apply with projects that "align with the President’s greenhouse gas reduction goals, promote energy efficiency, support fiscally responsible land use and transportation efficient design, support development compatible with the use of sustainable aviation fuels and technologies, increase climate resilience, incorporate sustainable pavement...and reduce pollution," according to the FAA's program information. They will also consider a series of other Executive Order topics in the same vein, which track with running goals of the Biden administration. 

Applications will be evaluated based on eligibility requirements, timeliness of implementation, overall impact on the national airspace ecosystem, advancement of safety, creation of well-paid jobs, and their impact on promoting employment for diverse demographics. The project's impact on the facility, its age, operational constraints, nonstandard facilities or conditions will also play into project consideration.

In his announcement of the program, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the measure would enhance the freedom of travel for those communities outside the metropolitan areas of the USA. “Residents of smaller and rural communities rely on aviation to get where they need to go. This funding will help ensure that air traffic is safe and reliable in communities across America." 

FMI: www.faa.gov