06.06.14

Hoeven: Appropriations Bill Includes Strong Funding for Airport Improvement Program

Federal Program Provides Grants to Growing North Dakota Airports

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven, a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced that the committee has passed the Fiscal Year 2015 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) bill with $3.5 billion in funding for the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which provides grants to improve airports in North Dakota and across the nation. Hoeven has been working to provide federal funding for transportation infrastructure to help meet increasing demands at airports in western North Dakota and across the state.

“With North Dakota continued growth, our airports are serving more and more travelers each year,” said Hoeven. “To help keep up with demand and ensure we maintain our high quality of life, we’re working to improve and expand airports in western North Dakota and across the state. This is the funding that will ensure we have the federal match to state and local funds to expand our airport facilities.”

In 2013, North Dakota received more than $32 million in AIP grants, including $8 million for terminal construction at Minot Airport, more than $3.5 million for Grand Forks International, more than $3.1 million for Hector International Airport, nearly $3 million for Bismarck Municipal Airport, nearly $2 million for Dickinson-Theodore Roosevelt Regional, as well as grants for Watford City, Williston’s Sloulin Field Airport, and airports across the state.

AIP grants are used for construction or rehabilitation of runways, taxiways or aprons; airfield lighting, signage or drainage; land acquisition; weather observation stations; planning and environmental studies; safety improvements; airport layout plans; and other projects at airports to improve safety, security or environmental concerns.

Earlier this spring, Hoeven hosted both DOT Secretary Anthony Foxx and FAA Administrator Michael Huerta in North Dakota to see firsthand the transportation infrastructure needs as a result of North Dakota’s tremendous growth.