Boozman, Arkansas Senators Announce more than $6 Million in Airport Improvement Grants for Third District of Arkansas

Discussing Transportation Issues with Secretary Mineta

Washington, Apr 6 - U.S. Representative John Boozman, along with U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor, announced today that four local airports have been awarded $6,140,665 in grants from the Department of Transportation.

The grants, provided by the Department of Transportation=s Federal Aviation Administration, will allow the airports to make several safety improvements.

AOur local airports should be as safe and technologically advanced as possible, and I'm pleased that these four airports are receiving this important funding,@ Lincoln said. AAirport improvement funds are critical to keeping our local airports modern, and they're a vital economic development tool for our communities.@

AAs commerce and business travel continues to increase at a rapid pace in Northwest Arkansas, it=s critical that we maintain and improve the infrastructure at local airports,@ Pryor said. AThis funding will go a long way toward supporting the local economy and help keep our airports running smoothly.@

AAs our region continues to grow, it is imperative that our infrastructure needs are met. For this reason, I am pleased to see that the Department of Transportation has released funds to enhance and maintain these airports so that they can better serve my constituents and the traveling public,@ said Boozman.

The following Arkansas airports have been awarded grants:

$3,710,000 Rogers Municipal-Carter Field Airport for runway construction;

$2,014,060 Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport for runway construction;

$300,000 Boone County Airport for runway construction;

$116,605 Fayetteville-Drake Field Airport to update the airport's master plan study.