Tester Announces Nearly $5 Million to Upgrade Airports in Kalispell, Billings, Butte and Glendive

Senator Helps Secure Resources to #ConnectMT

(U.S. Senate) – As part of his ongoing efforts to #ConnectMT, U.S. Senator Jon Tester today announced nearly $5 million to upgrade airports in Kalispell, Billings, Butte and Glendive.

“Montana’s airports bring business and travelers to our state, strengthening our economy and creating jobs,” Tester said. “I’m pleased to work with all our local airports to help secure these critical resources that will help Montana’s economy soar to new heights.”

The funding comes from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program, which provides grants to airports across the country in order to expand and improve America’s air travel infrastructure. The specific allocation of grants is as follows:

• Glacier Park International Airport (Kalispell) – $2 million
  To acquire aircraft rescue & firefighting safety equipment, acquire snow removal equipment, reconstruct and rehabilitate an apron.

• Billings Logan International Airport – $1.573 million
  To expand the terminal building.

• Bert Mooney Airport (Butte) – $1.3 million
  To construct a new terminal building.

• Dawson Community Airport (Glendive) – $122,000
  To expand and improve terminal building.

“This grant will go toward the design of our terminal renovation project, a project that will provide our passengers with a better travel experience,” said Shane Ketterling, Billings Airport Assistant Director of Aviation and Transit. “We are grateful for this funding and we will be using a local engineering firm to assist with this project.”

“We greatly appreciate Senator Tester’s strong support for the Bert Mooney Airport,” said Bert Mooney Airport Manager Pam Chamberlin. “This funding for our new terminal, along with his strong support for Essential Air Service, will ensure Bert Mooney Airport’s place as the transportation hub for southwestern Montana.”

“This annual grant is critical to Glacier Park International Airport’s capital improvement program and to ensuring the safety and security of the traveling public as annual airport traffic in the Flathead increases,” said Rob Ratkowski, Airport Director for Glacier Park International Airport. “Continued support from the Federal Aviation Administration makes consistent progress possible for our facility and we’re grateful to have their backing.”

This funding will help advance Tester’s #ConnectMT initiative, which seeks to connect folks across Big Sky Country-both online and in person-by investing in Montana’s roads, bridges, broadband, cellular and landline infrastructures.

In July, Tester announced $6 million for four Montana airports, an additional $2 million for Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport in May and nearly $9 million among 20 local airports in June. He also recently secured new state-of-the-art screening equipment for airports in Great Falls and Helena.