Investments in 20 Pennsylvania Airports to Upgrade Facilities, Support more than 8,400 Jobs

HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett today announced that a $3.4 million state investment will improve safety and operations at 20 Pennsylvania airports that support more than 8,400 jobs.

"Aviation, just as Pennsylvania's other transportation assets, supports jobs and strengthens our state economy," Gov. Corbett said. "These investments position these airports to offer better service and generate additional business activity."

The state funding – $3.4 million from PennDOT's aviation development program – comes from the state's jet fuel tax and leverages $1.5 million in local matching funds. The program complements the new Multimodal Fund, created by Act 89, which dedicates $6 million to aviation in this fiscal year alone. Last November, Gov. Corbett signed Act 89, a far-reaching transportation program that clears the way for significant investments in all transportation assets.

"Providing transportation options is vital to moving goods and people," Gov. Corbett said. "That's why we've invested $50 million in aviation since January 2011, and Act 89 will help us build on that progress."

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 service airports (those with fewer than 10,000 annual passengers) that are part of the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems.

For more information, visit www.dot.state.pa.us.

Media contact: Rich Kirkpatrick or Erin Waters-Trasatt, PennDOT, 717-783-8800

Editor's Note: Following is a list of impacted airports, the amount of funding, and a brief description of the projects:

Armstrong County: McVille Airport -- $200,000 to construct a hangar.

Bedford County: Bedford County Airport -- $187,500 to expand public parking.

Bradford County: Bradford County Airport -- $37,500 to acquire airfield maintenance equipment.

Bucks County: Pennridge Airport -- $75,000 to reconstruct an apron. 

Butler County: Butler Farm Show Airport -- $60,000 to install an access gate and fencing.

Cambria County:

• Ebensburg Airport -- $200,000 to rehabilitate hangars.
• John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria -- $150,000 to rehabilitate airport pavement.

Centre County:

• Bellefonte Airport -- $15,000 to remove obstructions.
• University Park Airport -- $375,000 to construct an auto parking lot.

Delaware County: Philadelphia Seaplane Base -- $11,250 to design rehabilitation of seawall dock.

Elk County: St. Marys Municipal Airport -- $262,500 to construct a vehicle parking lot.

Erie County: Erie International Airport Tom Ridge Field -- $135,000 to acquire airfield maintenance equipment.

Lancaster County: Donegal Springs Airpark -- $90,000 to remove obstructions.

Lycoming County: Williamsport Regional Airport -- $375, 000 to improve the terminal access road.

McKean County: Bradford Regional Airport -- $125,000 to rehabilitate four hangars.

Mercer County:

• Greenville Municipal Airport -- $18,750 to acquire maintenance equipment.
• Grove City Regional Airport -- $262,500 for the second phase of fuel-facility improvement.  

Northumberland County: Danville Airport -- $64,850 to acquire land.

Philadelphia: Penns Landing-Pier 36 Heliport -- $328,013 to rehabilitate the seawall.

York County: York Airport -- $450,000 to design and rehabilitate the runway.  

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor