Press Releases
Kuster, Shea-Porter Announce $4 Million Federal Grant to Improve New Hampshire AirportsConcord, Portsmouth, Nashua airports to receive funding for infrastructure upgrades
NEW HAMPSHIRE,
July 17, 2013
Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter (NH-01) announced that the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NH DOT) will receive a $4.1 million grant to help maintain public airports across the state.
NEW HAMPSHIRE – Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter (NH-01) announced that the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NH DOT) will receive a $4.1 million grant to help maintain public airports across the state. The federal funding will go toward equipment purchases, safety improvements, and planning studies at Concord Municipal Airport, Pease International Airport in Portsmouth, and Boire Field in Nashua, among other facilities around the state. “New Hampshire’s airports, both large and small, are important gateways to our beautiful state,” Kuster said. “This grant will help keep our airports in top shape and help them continue to grow our economy and bring travelers to the Granite State.” “This is a smart investment that will help maintain New Hampshire’s airports,” Shea-Porter said. “Improving our roads, bridges, waterways, and airports aren’t partisan ideas; they’re common sense upgrades that will help our economy grow and keep people safe.” The funds, administered by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), are part of the agency’s Airport Improvement program, which helps to fund infrastructure improvements at airports around the country. In addition to Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, there are 24 public, general aviation airports across New Hampshire that serve many of the state’s 74 registered commercial operators. In prior years, federal block grant funds have helped to purchase new snow removal equipment at Berlin Regional Airport and construct a new taxiway at Claremont Municipal Airport, among dozens of other projects. “This funding is critical to the development and safe operation of New Hampshire’s general aviation airports,” said Tricia L. Schoenick Lambert, administrator of the NH DOT Aeronautics Bureau. “This airport infrastructure is important to New Hampshire, as these airports facilitate emergency response activities and promote business use, thereby strengthening the state’s economy.” Under the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP), federal grants cover 90-95 percent of planning and development costs for eligible projects at qualifying general aviation airports. Additional information about AIP is available here. ### Press Contact: |