Senators announce $1.6 million for Montana airports

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Seven communities across Montana will receive a combined $1.6 million to improve and expand their airports, Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester announced today.

The following Montana airports will receive federal grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation:

• $173,693 for the Big Sky Field in Culbertson to upgrade the runway.
• $171,720 for the Fort Benton Airport to build a taxiway.
• $122,915 for the Stanford Airport to build a hangar and rehabilitate the runway.
• $477,376 for the Missoula International Airport to upgrade a runway and build an additional taxiway.
• $265,894 for the Columbus Airport to build a perimeter fence around the airport.
• $211,723 for the Big Timber Airport to build a perimeter fence around the airport. 
• $188,447 for the Broadus Airport to build a fuel farm.

“This is good news for Montana’s cities and small towns,” Baucus, a member of powerful Senate Finance Committee, said. “My number one priority is to help create good-paying jobs in Montana.  These dollars will bring good-paying jobs to our state while improving transportation for people who live, work and play here.”

“Local airports are essential to Montana’s communities,” Tester, a member of the influential Senate Appropriations Committee, said. “By providing money for the runways to be maintained and expanded, we are investing in jobs, Montana’s long-term infrastructure, and Main Street small business opportunities.”