HARRISBURG – Communities across the state will see improved airport safety and services when 24 airports receive a $6.6 million investment of federal and state funds, announced Gov. Edward G. Rendell.
In Clearfield County, the Clearfield-Lawrence Airport will receive $536,250 to rehabilitate the electric system, vault and airport rotating beacon.
“This is one more way in which my administration, working with the federal government, is helping to revive our economy,” Rendell said. “These projects translate into jobs for Pennsylvanians at a time when jobs are rapidly disappearing. At the same time, this work means increased safety and efficiency at airports.”
These projects will ensure that safety is maintained at many of the state’s non-commercial, general aviation airports and will help the airports meet federal regulations for operation. According to a widely-used calculation that each $1 billion of investment equals 30,000 jobs, more than 190 jobs could be created through these airport investments.
The state portion of funding – $170,664 from PennDOT’s aviation development program – comes from the state’s jet fuel tax and leverages more than $170,000 in local matching funds.
The Federal Aviation Administration is providing nearly $6.5 million in grants through the block grant program, which is funded through taxes collected nationally on airline tickets, freight waybills, international departure fees, and sale of aviation fuel. Airports receive up to 95 percent of eligible project costs for projects included in Pennsylvania’s 12-year transportation program.
Public-use airports in the commonwealth are eligible for the aviation development program. Airports eligible for the federal block grant program include: general aviation airports, designated reliever airports, and non-primary commercial airline airports (those with less than 10,000 annual passengers) that are part of the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems.
The state has 134 public-use airports and heliports and 15 airports have scheduled commercial service.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Below is a list of grant recipients, the amount of funding, and a brief de scri ption of the projects:
Beaver County
• Beaver County Airport will receive $195,000 to rehabilitate pavement areas that help airfield traffic maintain a safe distance, and to calibrate aircraft navigation equipment.
• Zelienople Municipal Airport will receive $519,776 to increase safety by relocating or improving lighting of utility lines.
Bradford County
• Bradford County Airport will receive $48,750 to construct improved aircraft separation areas and provide better access to fueling facilities.
Bucks County
• Quakertown Airport will receive $292,500 to enhance flying safety through acquiring easements and removing runway obstructions, and $292,500 to acquire land near the airport.
Butler County
• Butler County Airport will receive $604,500 for the construction phase of its south taxiway.
Cambria County
• Ebensburg Airport will receive $126,750 to purchase snow removal equipment.
Chester County
• Brandywine Airport will receive $63,375 to enhance pilots’ airport visibility with installation of a new airport beacon and $48,750 to design an expanded paved aircraft parking area.
Clarion County
• Clarion County Airport will receive $286,650 for snow removal equipment to better handle snow removal on the increased runway and taxiway lengths.
Clearfield County
• Clearfield-Lawrence Airport will receive $536,250 to rehabilitate the electric system, vault and airport rotating beacon.
Clinton County
• William T. Piper Airport will receive $97,500 to seal cracks in airport pavement, and $78,000 to replace the airport’s rotating beacon.
Elk County
• St. Mary’s Municipal Airport will receive $121,875 to seal cracks and apply seal coat to airport pavement, increasing the pavement’s life span.
Erie County
• Corry-Lawrence Airport will receive $232,537 for installation of an Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) and $153,947 for updating its Airport Master Plan.
Fayette County
• Joseph A Hardy Connellsville Airport will receive $1 million to continue bringing the runway safety areas up to FAA standards.
Jefferson County
• Punxsutawney Municipal Airport will receive $175,987 to update the Airport Master Plan.
Luzerne County
• Hazleton Municipal Airport will receive $73,125 to upgrade its AWOS and replace the airport beacon.
Mercer County
• Greenville Municipal Airport will receive $292,500 to remove obstructions to aircraft flight paths.
• Grove City Regional Airport will receive $146,250 for installation of an AWOS.
Mifflin County
• Mifflin County Airport will receive $48,750 to improve pavement and pavement markings.
Somerset County
• Somerset County Airport will receive $126,750 to purchase snow removal equipment, and $58,500 to increase safety by continuing tree removal near and under its runway approaches.
Snyder County
• Penn Valley Airport will receive $146,250 to improve safety by removing runway obstructions.
Tioga County
• Wellsboro-Johnston Airport will receive $34,125 to provide additional parking for airport users and visitors.
Venango County
• Titusville Airport will receive $355,875 for the first construction phase of a parallel taxiway, allowing for easier runway access.
• Venango Regional Airport will receive $243,750 to complete an Airport Master Plan Study, and $170,625 to install an Emergency Generator.
Washington County
• Washington County Airport will receive $58,500 to design a perimeter fence that will help reduce wildlife and pedestrian interference.