Fayetteville, Pine Bluff airports get $3 million in grant funding

Drake Field in Fayetteville is the recipient of $1.25 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) which will be used to improve the terminal building. Pine Bluff Regional Airport is receiving $1,791,180 from DOT to construct a taxiway.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao noted these grants are part of a larger Trump Administration push to invest in the nation’s air travel system.

“The robust economy is enabling more passengers to travel by air so this administration is investing billions of dollars in America’s airports which will address safer operations, fewer airport delays, and greater ease of travel for air travelers,” Chao said.

The grants will be disbursed through the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which provides grants for the planning and development of public-use airports that are significant to national air transportation.

“Local airports are valuable assets for our communities and infrastructure is key to expanding economic opportunities in these areas. These investments will improve safety and efficiency at Drake Field in Fayetteville and Pine Bluff Regional Airport by allowing the two airports to implement upgrades that are important to long-term growth and development in Arkansas,” Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., said.