Three Mississippi airports will receive more than $7.2 million in federal funds to repair terminal buildings, hangars, airfield equipment and other facilities damaged by Hurricane Katrina, SecTran Norman Y. Mineta said. The money will go to Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, Stennis International Airport in Bay St. Louis and Dean Griffin Memorial Airport in Wiggins.

“The economic revival of the Gulf Coast will hinge in large part on the resumption of air service to all airports big and small,” said Secretary Mineta.

Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport will receive $4.7 million to help reconstruct the terminal building, cargo facility, airport hangars, rental facility, and airfield equipment, Mineta said.

Stennis International Airport will receive $2.1 million in federal funds for repairs to the terminal building, emergency power system, and fencing, as well as for the design of hangars and airport drainage improvements, reconstruction of some taxiways and replacement of apron lighting, he added.

Dean Griffin Memorial Airport will receive $450,000 to rebuild damaged hangars, he said. The funds come from the Airport Improvement Program of the DoT’s FAA. The Department previously provided $4.6 million immediately following the disaster to airports in Mississippi.

FMI: www.dot.gov