Tester Secures $15.7 Million for Six Montana Airports

Funds will go toward safety, repairs, and construction, and includes 1.5 million in CARES Act investments

Continuing his years-long push to improve transportation infrastructure across Big Sky Country, U.S. Senator Jon Tester today secured $15,716,071 in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funds for six Montana airports to improve safety, make repairs, expand terminals, and purchase low-emission equipment.

Airports in Billings, Helena, Kalispell, Missoula, Hamilton, and Thompson Falls will receive funding.

“Montana’s airports are the gateways to Big Sky Country, for Montanans traveling for business or to see family, or for folks coming to experience our state’s $7.1 billion outdoor recreation economy,” said Tester. “But these airports have been hit hard by the pandemic, and I’m proud to have secured these funds so our airports have the resources they need to make critical safety improvements and upgrades across the board.”

Additionally, $1,571,602 of the funds are a part of expansions to the AIP secured by Senator Tester in the Coronavirus, Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act after he pressured the Trump Administration to ensure rural airports did not get left behind in any COVID-19 relief packages.

The following airports will receive funding:

• Billings Logan International Airport: $4,764,805, including $476,480 in funds, to expand the terminal.
• Helena Regional Airport: $4,903,905—including $490,390 in CARES Act funds—for fire safety equipment and repairs to the Rocky Mountain Emergency Services Training Center.
• Glacier Park International Airport: $2,641,842—including $264,184 in CARES Act funds—to expand the terminal building.
• Ravalli County Airport in Hamilton: $1,915,248—including $191,523 in CARES Act funds—to reconstruct the taxiway, for various repairs to aprons and runways, and to purchase safety equipment.
• Missoula International Airport: $756,995—including $75,699 in CARES Act funds—to acquire low-emission airport equipment.
• Thompson Falls Airport: $733,276—including $73,326 in CARES Act funds—for safety equipment and reconstruction.

Tester has worked tirelessly to ensure that Montana’s transportation infrastructure is not left behind during the COVID-19 pandemic. He recently urged the Trump Administration to provide robust assistance to the Airport Improvement Program and ensure local airports aren’t left behind in any new coronavirus aid packages. Additionally, he secured nearly $74 million for more than 70 airports across Montana to cover operational expenses and development projects during the crisis.