Florence, South Carolina – With the aim to significantly improve South Carolina’s aviation infrastructure, the federal government has set aside approximately $6.1 million for four major airports around the state for necessary development and restoration projects. Part of the third batch of grants under the 2024 Airport Improvement Program, this money seeks to improve airport safety and usability.
With about $5.6 million set out for the building of a new apron, Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport in Greer has received the lion’s share of the money. The capacity and operating efficiency of the airport should be much raised by this construction. Florence Regional Airport follows with a significant grant of $340,525, allocated for the renovation of a runway and a taxiway, vital parts ensuring aircraft safety and smooth operations.
Additional allocations are $91,393 to Laurens County Airport in Laurens for the building of a new terminal and the same sum to Sumter Airport for apron repair. These initiatives are essential for enhancing the whole travel experience and appropriate for rising passenger counts.
Since South Carolina airports were not included in the first two rounds declared earlier in June, this round of funds represents the first time the state has received federal support. It is impossible to overestimate the value of these funds since they support the continuous efforts of the airports to improve safety, efficiency, and the whole travel experience for passengers.
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“These grants will help support our nation’s airports as they make improvements to enhance safety, efficiency and the needs of travelers for a better experience,” FAA Associate Administrator for Airports Shannetta R. Griffin said in an announcement.
The government help guarantees that South Carolina’s airports stay competitive and equipped to meet future travel needs in addition to highlighting the dedication to preserving high safety standards.
The broader picture
Examples of airports receiving grants include:
- $6.9 million to Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport in Alabama: This grant funds rehabilitation and reconstruction of several taxiways to improve safety.
- $2 million to Fitiuta Airport in American Samoa: This grant funds rehabilitating the pavement on Runway 12/30 to improve safety.
- $12.8 million to Huntsville International-Carl T. Jones Field in Alabama: This grant funds shifting Taxiway E2 by 200 feet and rehabilitating the pavement and lighting on Runway 18/36 to maintain and improve safety.
- $6.3 million to Denver International Airport in Colorado: This grant funds rehabilitating Taxiway P and EC to improve safety.
- $4.6 million to Miami International Airport in Florida: This grant funds reconstructing the existing Central Terminal building to increase capacity and efficiency.
- $1.4 million to Forest City Municipal Airport in Iowa: This grant funds rehabilitating 5,200 feet of existing paved Runway 15/33 to improve safety.
- $10.4 million to Driggs/Reed Memorial Airport in Idaho: This grant funds shifting Runway 4/22 to bring the airport into conformity with current FAA standards and extending Taxiway A to enhance safety.
- $10 million to Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky: This grant funds reconstructing Taxiway B pavement to improve safety.
- $15.5 million to Boston Logan International Airport in Massachusetts: This grant funds rehabilitating Taxiway N pavement to enhance safety.
- $7.2 million to Stillwater Regional Airport in Oklahoma: This grant funds construction of a new terminal building to accommodate additional passengers.
- $6.5 million to Greenbrier Valley Airport in West Virginia: This grant funds rehabilitating Runway 4/22 to improve safety.
The Airport Improvement Program receives approximately $3.3 billion in funding each year. A complete listing of grants is on the FAA website.
