July 11, 2011

Rockefeller, Manchin, Rahall Announce $36,741 in Federal Funding for the Raleigh County Airport Authority to Purchase Safety Equipment

Washington, D.C. – Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin (both D-W.Va.), along with Congressman Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.), today announced that the Raleigh County Airport Authority has been awarded a $36,741 grant through the Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). 

The grant, awarded through the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP), will enable the airport to purchase aircraft rescue and firefighting safety equipment. It will also provide for the purchase of new snow removal equipment which will allow the airport to stay open during snow periods and aid in the efficiency and safety of operations.

“This safety equipment will go a long way toward keeping the Raleigh County Memorial Airport safe, up to date, and functional year round – even in West Virginia’s often icy winters,” said Rockefeller.   “Reliable, year-round air travel is critical to keeping our small communities competitive and connected to larger areas around the world.”

“Nothing could be more important than making sure that first responders have the safety equipment they need at airports, which is why this funding is so important,” Senator Manchin said. “Keeping our airports safely open in harsh weather conditions will help boost our economy and help keep the people of West Virginia safe.”

“Having a safe and accessible airport is essential to economic development in our region,” said Rep. Rahall, the top Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.  “I will continue to fight for the resources and equipment our regional airports need to help ensure the safety of the travelling public.”

Background

AIP was established by the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982 in order to provide grants for the planning, development, and improvement of public-use airports.  These grants are highly sought after, and the FAA bases distribution of these funds on current national objectives and priorities.  The grant money can be used for a variety of projects, including runways, airfield lighting, weather observation stations, land acquisition, and environmental studies.

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