Kentucky's Georgetown-Scott County Regional Airport Received $3 Million From AARA

The FAA said Thursday that an airfield upgrade at Georgetown-Scott County Regional Airport in Kentucky has been completed, paid for with $3 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds.

"Airport Recovery Act projects are helping boost local economies all across the country," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "The Recovery Act is helping us keep our runways safe and well maintained."

Recovery Act funds provided the full cost of repaving Georgetown-Scott County Regional Airport's 5,500 foot-long runway. The runway had deteriorated and had not been fully repaved in nearly 17 years. The construction also included the widening of the ends of the parallel taxiway, which will now be able to accommodate larger aircraft turning on and off the runway.

"General aviation is incredibly important to local communities nationwide and the Recovery Act is funding necessary safety improvements and upgrades that otherwise might not get done," said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt.

Nationwide, $1.3 billion in Recovery Act money has been made available for both airport improvement projects and air traffic control facility and system upgrades. Because of low construction bids for projects, more Recovery Act dollars were available for additional facilities and equipment as well as airport projects. These Recovery Act grants have been distributed to airports that serve commercial passengers, cargo and general aviation.

FMI: www.faa.gov, www.georgetownscottcountyairport.com