At Glacier Park International Airport, Tester Talks $14.5 Million for Upgrades, Improvements from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Funding for Kalispell Airport is a part of $144 million in airport funding Senator secured

At an event at the Glacier Park International Airport today, U.S. Senator Jon Tester discussed $2,864,698 in funding from his bipartisan infrastructure package for the airport to make repairs and upgrades in Fiscal Year 2022. A total of $14,323,490 secured by Tester will be awarded to the airport over five years through the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airport Improvement Program, which can be used to construct or repair runways and taxiways as well as make terminal and gate improvements.

Tester was joined by Glacier Park International Airport Director John Rob Ratkowski, Columbia Falls Mayor Don Barnhart, and Whitefish Mountain Resort Public Relations Manager Chad Sokol.

“I am proud to share that Glacier Park International Airport will receive nearly $14.5 million dollars over the next five years from this package,” said Tester. “Montana’s airports are critical to growing our economy, creating good paying jobs, and keeping our state connected – and they need to be equipped to handle our state’s rapid growth. These resources will help Glacier Park International make critical upgrades that will help bring more airlines to our state, increase competition, and drive down prices for Montanans.”

Tester worked across the aisle for months to negotiate his bipartisan package with a group of five Republicans, four Democrats, and the White House, and he was the only member of Montana’s congressional delegation to vote for it. Tester’s law is projected to create more than 800,000 American jobs and lower costs for businesses by making targeted investments that will strengthen our nation without raising taxes on working families. Tester’s bipartisan infrastructure package was signed into law by President Joe Biden on November 15th.

Tester secured significant wins for Montana in the legislation, including $2.82 billion for Montana’s roads, highways and bridges; $2.5 billion to complete all authorized Indian water rights settlements; $1 billion to complete all authorized rural water projects through the Bureau of Reclamation; $65 billion to deploy broadband to areas across the country that lack internet access and additionally make online connectivity affordable; and $3.37 billion to reduce wildfire risk nationwide, among others. Tester also worked to ensure that all iron, steel, and construction materials used for these projects must be made in America.

A full list of Montana provisions in Tester’s bipartisan infrastructure law can be found HERE.