Funds Will Go Towards Infrastructure Improvements, Safety Enhancements

The investment of $1.9 million in federal and state funds will help 15 Pennsylvania airports upgrade equipment and facilities and enhance safety, PA Governor Edward G. Rendell (D) announced Saturday.

PA Governor Rendell

"While we continue to seek ways to address the state's growing infrastructure funding challenges, it's essential for us to maintain our investment in all transportation modes, including aviation," Governor Rendell said. "These funds will help keep our airports safe, support airport jobs and stimulate the businesses supplying materials and equipment for the enhancements."

The state portion of funding - $1.7 million from PennDOT's aviation development program - comes from the state's jet fuel tax and leverages $781,475 in local matching funds.

The Federal Aviation Administration is providing $270,750 in grants through the block grant program, which is funded through taxes collected nationally on airline tickets, freight waybills, international departure fees, and 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 state 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 fewer than 10,000 annual passengers) that are part of the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems.

There are nearly 290,000 people employed in the aviation industry statewide, representing approximately 5 percent of the workforce. The state has 133 public-use airports and heliports and 14 airports have scheduled commercial service.

FMI: www.dot.state.pa.us