Arkansas airports to receive $7 million in FAA grants

Airports in Jonesboro, Little Rock and Monticello will receive a share of the more than $1.2 billion in airport safety and infrastructure grants through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao announced Tuesday (Sept. 1) the grants to 405 airports in 50 states and the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rice, Palau and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

“This $1.2 billion federal investment will improve our nation’s airport infrastructure, enhance safety and strengthen growth in local communities, which is especially important as the economy recovers from COVID-19,” Chao said.

The total includes more than $1 billion from the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and $152 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic (CARES) Act grants to equal a 100% federal share.

“The 434 AIP grants will fund critical airport infrastructure projects around the country,” FAA Administrator Stephen Dickson said.

Three Arkansas airports will receive $7.08 million of the grant money. Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock will receive $5.45 million to reconstruct the taxiway. Jonesboro Municipal Airport will receive $1.46 million to reconstruct the airfield guidance signs, runway lighting, and taxiway lights and to strengthen the runway. Monticello Municipal Airport will receive $166,666 to improve airport drainage and erosion control.

The FAA has issued $13.5 billion to U.S. airports since January 2017. More than $10 billion in economic assistance has been provided to the airports during the pandemic. Arkansas airports received $51 million of that amount.