U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken along with Representative Rick Nolan today announced that the Department of Transportation has awarded the Ely Municipal Airport over $4.7 million to rehabilitate the runway and improve the airport's infrastructure.
"A new and improved Ely Airport will bring more jobs, business activity, tourists, and visitors to the Range," said Nolan. "These improvements will help strengthen our rural economy and keep our airports and travelers safe."
"Strengthening the Ely Airport means strengthening the economy in Ely and the entire region," Klobuchar said. "This support will help ensure that Minnesota's airports continue to be among the safest and most reliable in the nation."
"Making investments in our transportation and infrastructure systems is key to strengthening Minnesota's economy," Franken said. "These resources will improve airport safety in Ely, help create jobs in the region, and go a long way towards updating Minnesota's overall transportation infrastructure."
The $4.7 million will go towards the second phase of a project to rehabilitate the airport's runway, install and replace airfield guidance signs, install a visual guidance system, and improve runway lighting.