State Matching Funds For Safety Enhancements, Improvements Come From PennDOT's Aviation Development Program

Governor Tom Corbett has announced a $5.4 million state and federal investment to enhance safety and operations at 15 airports in 14 Pennsylvania counties.

"Pennsylvania's public-use airports produce more than $23 billion in economic activity every year," Corbett (pictured) said. "This shows why it's so important to invest in transportation. Improving airport safety and efficiency supports jobs and businesses across the state."

The state portion of funding – $286,016 from PennDOT's aviation development program – comes from the state's jet fuel tax. The state and federal investments also leverage $286,016 in local matching funds.

The Federal Aviation Administration is providing $5.4 million in grants through its Block Grant program, which is funded through taxes collected nationally on airline tickets, freight waybills, international departure fees and the sale of aviation fuel. Under the federal program, airports receive up to 95 percent of eligible project 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.

The state has 133 public-use airports and heliports and 15 airports have scheduled commercial service.

FMI: www.dot.state.pa.us