The Allen County Regional Airport was recently awarded two grants totaling more than $310,000.
That’s on top of the $5.6 million in federal and state funding that has flowed into the airport in the past year or so.
The two grants were announced last week by the Kansas Department of Transportation. The grants will be used to replace an automated weather observing system (AWOS) for $153,000, and to rehabilitate the taxiway for $157,500. The county will need to pay a 10% match.
The work is expected to take place next year. The taxiway will need to be closed during construction, but aircraft can still use the runway, Public Works Director Mitch Garner said.
A similar rehabilitation of the runway was recently completed, funded by a $477,000 KDOT grant.
KDOT awarded $11 million in grants to 66 airport projects across the state as part of the Kansas Airport Improvement Program (KAIP) funding for planning, constructing, or rehabilitating public-use general aviation airports.
“Whether it be airplane manufacturing, a link in the supply chain logistics, or travel, the Kansas aerospace industry is an essential part of our state’s economy,” Gov. Laura Kelly said. “These grants ensure the safety and longevity of Kansas airports, all while contributing to economic growth and job creation.”
The aviation industry represents over $20.6 billion in economic impact across a broad spectrum of supply chain and manufacturing industries in Kansas.
