WASHINGTON, DC – United States Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey and Congressman William Keating today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded more than $12.5 million in infrastructure improvement grants to municipal airports in New Bedford, Plymouth, and Hyannis, Massachusetts.
The grants announced today include a $3,048,820 grant to New Bedford Regional Airport for taxiway rehabilitation, a $2,394,230 grant to Barnstable Municipal Airport-Boardman/Polando Field for taxiway rehabilitation, and a $7,132,689 grant to Plymouth Municipal Airport for a runway extension project.
“These grants are good news for communities in Southeastern Massachusetts and on the Cape,” Senator Warren said. “I’m glad the federal government is supporting key infrastructure investments at the Commonwealth’s municipal airports, which help drive business activity and grow the local economy.”
“When we invest in infrastructure on the Cape and the larger region, we invest in our entire Massachusetts economy,” said Senator Markey. “Federal transportation funding like this will help ensure our airports are operating safely and effectively and supporting the visitors, residents and businesses of the area."
“Regional airports are of vital importance to our local economies, bringing both tourists and commercial goods alike,” said Congressman Keating. “These grants will ensure that our airports are operating at peak performance for years to come.”
“The Commission is very appreciative of hard work of Congressman Keating and our Senators on behalf of the efforts to revitalize the airport,” said Paul Barton, Chair of the New Bedford Airport Commission.
“This is fantastic news,” said Bud Breault, Barnstable Airport Manager. “We appreciate the efforts of Senator Warren, Senator Markey, and Congressman Keating – as well as the Department – to include the discretionary funding in this grant, as the formula funding on its own would not have been enough for us to complete the projects and improve the safety of the airport.”
“The Town of Plymouth could not be more delighted and thankful for the efforts of Congressman Keating’s Office as well as the Offices of Senators Warren and Markey, that have resulted in the Town becoming a recipient of a grant that will improve our very active municipal airport,” said Kenneth Tavares, Chairman of the Plymouth Board of Selectman. “This grant will allow us to extend the runway and improve overall public safety, in addition, it also addresses some environmental concerns. This could not have been achieved without the constant support and persistence of Congressman Keating and our Senators. This type of funding makes a great difference in our Town.”
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