Tester Announces over $700,000 for Rural Montana Airports

Senator Secures Critical Funding for Baker, Ekalaka, Circle, Superior, and Terry Airports

(Big Sandy, Mont.) – U.S. Senator Jon Tester today announced that rural Montana airports will receive over $700,000 for critical infrastructure and safety upgrades.

“Montanans rely on airports to connect families and support local businesses,” Tester said. “For every dollar we invest in our transportation infrastructure we see returns to the economy and the jobs it supports. These resources will bring our rural airports into the 21st century and ensure folks safely get to their destination.”

Tester secured funding for these airports through the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program, which provides grants to airports to improve or expand their facilities, runways, taxiways, and address other needs. Grants are awarded to the following airports:

• Baker ($115,693) – Construct new taxiway and rehab runway

• Ekalaka ($179,432) – Construct new facility, rehab runway and taxiway

• Circle ($138,565) – Install fencing and weather reporting technology

• Superior ($216,000) – Rehab runway and taxiway

• Terry (88,740) – Update airport Master Plan

Tester announced a series of additional airport grants earlier this month and he recently secured new state-of-the-art screening equipment for airports in Great Falls and Helena.