Baucus, Tester announce nearly $6.5 million headed to Montana’s airports

Senators Say Dollars Will Improve Facilities in 10 Montana Towns

(Washington D.C.) Renovations and maintenance for airports throughout Montana will soon take flight, thanks to $6.43 million in grants Montana’s U.S. Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester announced today.

The grants will be used to increase airport safety, efficiency and facilities, and to improve conditions for both travelers and workers in 10 Montana towns. Airports will use the money to improve runways, buy snow removal equipment, and upgrade aging equipment and technology.

“These grants are great news for Montana,” said Baucus, chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee. “The benefits they bring to both residents and visitors will not only make air travel safer and easier, but will help create good paying jobs.”

“This investment creates jobs, invests in infrastructure that will boost Montana’s economy, and expands opportunities,” said Tester, a member of the influential Senate Appropriations Committee. “Airports are important to Montana and rural America, and Max and I fight for them in the Senate.”

Montana Airport Grants:

• Missoula International Airport will receive $1,529,407 to build a new taxiway.
• Sher-Wood Airport in Plentywood will receive $174,676 to improve a runway and build a snow removal equipment building.
• Havre City-County Airport will receive $152,146 to improve a runway.
• Great Falls International Airport will receive $1,037,619 to improve a taxiway and lighting system.
• Terry Airport will receive $126,155 to build a snow removal equipment building.
• Dillon Airport will receive $1,562,970 to improve runways, pavement and lighting and install a vertical/visual guidance system.
• Big Sky Field Airport will receive $1,467,707 to improve a runway, expand the ramp, and install a vertical/visual guidance system and navigation aids.
• Columbus Airport will receive $120,638 to install a perimeter fence.
• Eureka Airport will receive $105,381 to build a runway and purchase snow removal equipment.
• The Montana Aeronautics Division will receive $150,000 to study a system plan for the state of Montana.

Montana’s airports will receive the grant funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation.