Tester Secures More Than $5 Million to Make Improvements to Dillon Airport

Funding for Dillon Airport will be used to repair runway, taxiway

In his continued effort to upgrade critical infrastructure and support Montana’s rural economies, U.S. Senator Jon Tester today secured $5.7 million in new funding to make critical improvements to Dillon Airport, increasing the total federal funding to $9.2 million. The funding comes from the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) Appropriations Package and will be used to make key improvements to the airport’s runway and taxiway. Tester was the only member of Montana’s congressional delegation to vote for this funding.

“When we invest in rural airports, we’re investing in rural businesses, families and economies – and it’s vital that we ensure Montana’s airports have the funding they need to remain safe and reliable,” said Tester. “I was proud to work across the aisle to secure these critical investments for improvements and expansions, and I’ll keep fighting to make sure our bipartisan infrastructure law continues to deliver for rural America.”

Tester has led the charge to upgrade Montana’s airport infrastructure. This past year he secured approximately $144 million for 69 Montana airports through his bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which will be awarded over five years through the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airport Improvement Grants. This funding can be used to construct or repair runways and taxiways as well as make terminal and gate improvements.

Tester has also led the effort to lower costs and expand access to reliable air service in rural communities. In May, Tester introduced his bipartisan Small Community Air Service Enhancement Act to increase flight options for travelers in rural America.