Pine Belt airports get grants for fence upgrades

Laurel Leader-Call

Pine Belt airports get grants for fence upgrades

Laurel Leader-Call

WASHINGTON – Three local area airports will get some federal grant money for upgrades, U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker, Cindy Hyde-Smith and Congressman Steven Palazzo announced last week.

A total of $9.77 million for improvements to 20 airports across the state will be awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation on behalf of the Federal Aviation Administration.

The Laurel-Hattiesburg Regional Airport will get $384,180 and Hesler-Noble Field in Laurel will get $369,961, both for perimeter fences around their properties. Bobby L. Chain Municpal Airport in Hattiesburg will get $615,600 to extend the taxiway.

Gulfport-Biloxi Inter- national Airport is getting $2,359,506 to acquire land for development, rehabilitate runway and taxiway, rehabilitate the terminal building, enhance security and widen the taxiway.

“Mississippi’s airports bring tourism, investment and greater transportation options to our state,” Wicker said. “These additional federal grants will help airports across Mississippi to expand while improving service, security, and safety.”

Hyde-Smith added, “This new series of FAA airport improvement grants will support some significant projects, from hubs in Jackson and Gulf- port to smaller airports such as Macon and Iuka. I’m pleased these communities are receiving funds to promote safety and economic activities.”

Wicker and Hyde-Smith announced $6.32 million in grants for municipal airports in Mississippi earlier in July.

“Our south Mississippi airports that received these grants will be able to improve, maintain and rehabilitate their facilities,” Palazzo said. “This funding is a smart federal infrastructure investment, and I applaud the Department of Transportation and Secretary Chao for their efforts in awarding these grants.”