Tester Announces Nearly $9 Million for Great Falls Airport

(MISSOULA, Mont.) – Two days after calling Transportation Department Secretary Anthony Foxx, Senator Jon Tester announced that the Great Falls International Airport will receive $8.9 million to construct a new taxiway and extend a runway.

“The Great Falls Airport is a critical hub for folks in northcentral Montana,” said Tester. “This grant will help strengthen critical infrastructure so passengers can safely get to their destination and airlines can continue to expand service in Big Sky Country.”

The funding is broken down into two grants – the first grant totals $7.1 million and a second grant totals $1.8 million.

Tester called Secretary Foxx this Wednesday to inquire about the status of Great Falls Airport’s grant application. Foxx assured Tester he would look into it and move quickly on a decision.

The funding is being awarded through the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which provides grants to help develop and improve air travel infrastructure across the country.

In April, Tester voted to pass a long term FAA bill that strengthens national security, boosts tourism, and supports infrastructure investments for Montana airports. The House has yet to act on the legislation despite the FAA’s authorization being set to expire on July 15.