Governor Rendell Announces $1.9 Million Investment in 15 Airports

HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The investment of $1.9 million in federal and state funds will help 15 Pennsylvania airports upgrade equipment and facilities and enhance safety, Governor Edward G. Rendell announced today.

"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.

For more information, visit www.dot.state.pa.us or call (717) 783-8800.

Editor's Note: Following is a list of airport improvement grant recipients, the amount of funding, and a brief description of the projects:

Adams County

• Mid-Atlantic Soaring Center -- $225,000 to repave the airport's runway.

Bedford County

• Bedford County Airport -- $187,500 to expand public parking near the airport's fixed-base operator.

Butler County

• Butler County Airport -- $56,250 to rehabilitate the terminal parking area.

Fayette County

• Joseph A. Hardy Connellsville Airport -- $135,000 to purchase a jet fuel truck.

Indiana County

• Indiana County/Jimmy Stewart Airport -- $30,000 to improve the airport's fuel facility.

Lehigh County

• Queen City Municipal Airport -- $56,250 to design an aviation fuel storage facility.  

Luzerne County

• Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport -- $37,500 to acquire pavement maintenance equipment and supplies.

McKean County

• Bradford Regional Airport -- $131,250 to purchase an airport security vehicle and airfield maintenance equipment.  

Montgomery County

• Heritage Field Airport -- $195,000 to update the airport's master plan.

Somerset County

• Somerset County Airport -- $330,000 to construct a new T-hangar.

Venango County

• Venango Regional Airport -- $82,875 for completion of a one-year wildlife assessment at the airport.

Washington County

• Finleyville Airpark -- $37,500 to construct an access road to airport hangars.

Westmoreland County

• Rostraver Airport -- $176,250 to purchase airfield maintenance and snow-removal equipment.  

York County

• Baublitz Airport -- $19,800 to replace the rotating beacon to enhance safety.
• York Airport -- $240,750 to install a perimeter fence around the airport.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor