Missoula Airport to Receive $1.3 Million for New Taxiway

(Big Sandy, Mont.) – After recently voting to reauthorize the FAA and securing increased funding for Montana’s airports as a member of the Senate’s Appropriations Committee, Senator Jon Tester announced today that the Missoula International Airport will receive $1.3 million in federal funding to construct a new taxiway.

“Not only will the residents of Missoula profit from these infrastructure investments but Montana’s economy will also benefit from our increased capacity to transport visitors both inside and outside the state,” Tester said. “The Missoula International Airport is a critical economic driver for the region and this funding will help support commerce and tourism to western Montana.”

The funding was awarded through the FAA Airport Improvement Program (AIP). Tester recently voted to reauthorize the FAA, successfully adding amendments to the legislation that will improve Montanan’s air travel infrastructure and increase rural airport security.

“This grant will be used to develop a general aviation area that will help bring new business to the airport and, of course, new jobs to Missoula,” said Cris Jensen, Director of Missoula International Airport. “So this is not just exciting news for us here at Missoula International, but for the community as a whole.”

Tester also recently helped pass the Fiscal Year 2017 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations bill through the Appropriations Committee, which contains a number of his provisions to help Montana’s air travel industry. These include a provision that significantly increases funding for the Small Community Air Service Development Program, which helps Montana’s airports attract new commercial flights to the state.