WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) and Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.) announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded more than $4 million in grants to seven regional airports across the state for construction and maintenance projects.
The airports receiving the $4,194,551 in funds are Grant County Airport, Four Corners Regional Airport, Reserve Airport in Catron County, Las Vegas Municipal Airport, Taos Regional Airport, Las Cruces International Airport and Santa Fe Municipal Airport.
“New Mexico’s regional airports are critical transportation lifelines for our state’s rural economies and communities,” Udall said. “This funding will help support rural economies, ensure that rural communities can continue to access the resources and goods they need, and help get frontline workers to where they are needed as quickly and safely as possible. This funding lays a foundation to make sure that our airports will continue to grow local economies across New Mexico when this national crisis has passed, and I will keep fighting to make sure New Mexicans can stay healthy and financially afloat throughout this critical period and beyond.”
“New Mexico’s regional airports create opportunities for tourism, economic growth, and commercial aviation across the state. During this public health crisis, we are also seeing the essential role they play in quickly bringing health care workers and first responders to all of our communities,” said Heinrich. “I will continue to support forward-looking infrastructure investments like these in our state's airports so they can continue to keep all of our communities connected to essential air service.”
“Regional airports across New Mexico connect our communities and uplift local economies – especially in rural areas. This critical grant funding will allow regional airports to invest in much-needed infrastructure improvements to keep their facilities safe and up-to-date. In this public health crisis, regional airports help keep essential services running, and I will continue to fight for the resources that New Mexicans need to overcome this crisis and set a path toward economic recovery,” said Luján.
“Small airports support local economies, but many of those facilities need more support to keep up with repairs and technology updates,” said Haaland. “This funding will make sure airports across the state can provide transportation to health care workers, ensure resources can be flown into rural hospitals, and keep those economies running.”
“Right now, many of our rural communities are depending on New Mexico’s local airports for essential resources and goods. While many airports are facing financial hardship with decreased travel, I’m pleased to share this federal funding will help revitalize local airports in Hurley, Las Cruces, and Reserve. As our community plans innovative, responsible, data-driven ways to gradually re-open our economy, we must ensure our infrastructure is ready to connect all corners of New Mexico to economic opportunity as we rebuild,” said Torres Small.
The full breakdown of the $4,194,551 in funding is below:
- Grant County Airport,
$2,130,000
to reconstruct the runway apron
- Four Corners Regional Airport,
$37,500
to acquire aircraft fire and rescue safety equipment
- Reserve Airport in Catron County,
$411,750
for runway lighting
- Las Vegas Municipal Airport,
$150,300
to seal taxiway pavement surface
- Taos Regional Airport,
$315,000
to rehabilitate runway
- Las Cruces International Airport, $150,000 to conduct an airport-related environmental assessment
- Santa Fe Municipal Airport,
$1,000,001
to reconstruct or replace airport lighting vault
