Tester Secures More Than $3.1 Million for Sidney-Richland Regional Airport

Funding comes from the 2024 government funding package

In his continued effort to upgrade critical infrastructure and support Montana’s rural economies, U.S. Senator Jon Tester secured $3,134,500 for Sidney-Richland Regional Airport. This funding, which comes from the 2024 government funding package, will go towards repaving and repairing the runway.

“Montana’s airports are essential to create jobs, boost our economy, and keep folks connected across the state – but too often, our rural airports like Sidney-Richland fall through the cracks,” said Tester. “I’m proud to have secured this important funding to make critical updates to Sidney’s airport, and I’ll keep working to ensure Montana’s rural airports have the resources they need to thrive.”

Tester has led the charge to upgrade Montana’s airport infrastructure. He secured approximately $144 million for Montana’s airports through his bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which will be awarded over five years between 2022 and 2026. This funding can be used to construct or repair runways and taxiways as well as make terminal and gate improvements. Tester has also led the effort to lower costs and expand access to reliable air service in rural communities.

In May, Tester successfully included key priorities to increase affordable air service in legislation to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), including the Small Community Air Service Enhancement Act that will help small airports compete for grants to attract new air carrier service to their communities and reauthorization of the Essential Air Service program (EAS) to ensure Montana’s rural communities continue to have airline service options connecting them to larger hubs.