Airports receive funds for upgrades

The Federal Aviation Administration has released $6.43 million in allocations to 10 Montana airports, U.S. Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester announced Wednesday.

The allocations will be used to increase airport safety, efficiency and facilities through improved runways, new snow removal equipment and upgraded technology.

Great Falls International Airport will receive $1,037,619 in allocations to pay for part of the project to rebuild Taxiway Alpha, which began last year and could be completed this

year. “We’re pleased that Congress has released the latter 75 percent of this year’s FAA funding,” said Great Falls Airport Director Cynthia Schultz. Wednesday’s announcement involved so-called “entitlement” funds, which airports receive based on the number of passengers they serve, she said.

The Great Falls airport already had engineering plans drawn up for the remainder of the work. It currently is seeking discretionary funds for the project, which are awarded by the FAA on a competitive basis.