Small-town and municipal airports that need to update or replace their fully owed air traffic control towers can now apply for federal funding to pay for those projects, the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) announced recently.
The FAA Contract Tower Competitive Grant Program, included within the Airport Infrastructure Grant Program, will disperse $20 million annually, from Fiscal Year 2022 to 2026, according to the April 15 announcement. The grant programs are funded by President Joseph R. Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the FAA reports. Funds awarded are 100% federally funded; airports are not required to match a grant, the announcement states.
“This funding will allow airport sponsors to build or repair their facilities," Shannetta Griffin, FAA associate administrator of airports, said in the announcement, "to meet safety standards and be environmentally friendly and sustainable.”
Small airports without a lot of air traffic but that are still instrumental in the success of local economies are eligible for the grants. The grants are for projects that "sustain, construct, repair, improve, modernize, replace or relocate airport-owned towers and install communications equipment," the FAA states in the announcement.
Projects should include how they will meet the federal government's goals to reduce greenhouse gas and pollutions; are energy efficient and fiscally responsible; can support the use of sustainable fuels and technology; improve resilience to climate change; and use sustainable construction materials, the FAA states in the announcement
The air traffic control towers must be owned by the airports to be eligible. The FAA reports there are approximately 156 eligible airports in the country, according to the FAA. The dealing to apply for the grant funding is May 16, the announcement states.
“Residents of smaller and rural communities rely on aviation to get where they need to go," Pete Buttigieg, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, said in the announcement. "This funding will help ensure that air traffic is safe and reliable in communities across America.”
