The Federal Aviation Administration has awarded grants totaling $8.5 million to 13 Arkansas airports to help pay for upgrades and expansions, the state's congressional delegation announced Monday.
"Airports are important to growth and development in Arkansas communities. Investments to our infrastructure will better serve the economic needs of our state and facilitate commerce and job creation," the delegation said in a joint statement.
Most of the money -- a total of about $5.7 million -- will go to two airports in Northwest Arkansas.
A $3.5 million grant will allow Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport in Highfill to expand its apron by 11,000 square yards to meet FAA design standards, and a $1.9 million grant will allow Rogers Municipal Airport-Carter Field to rehabilitate its apron.
Two central Arkansas airports also received grants. Bill and Hillary National Airport/Adams Field in Little Rock will use its $720,000 grant to update its master plan showing current and future airport needs. North Little Rock Municipal Airport will receive $647,146 to install a new taxiway lighting system.
Other airports receiving grants, including the amount and for what it will be used, are:
• Batesville Regional Airport, $438,971 to extend its taxiways to provide more aircraft parking.
• West Memphis Municipal Airport, $249,236 to update its master plan to reflect current and future needs of the airport.
• Bearce Airport at Mount Ida, $292,000 to install perimeter fencing and remove obstructions in the runway.
• Z.M. Jack Stell Field in Crossett, $187,677 to rehabilitate the runway and install navigation aids.
• Searcy County Airport in Marshall, $175,860 to rehabilitate the apron.
• Osceola Municipal Airport, $157,500 to update the facility's master plan and address future development needs.
• Bentonville: Bentonville Municipal Airport/Louise M. Thaden Field, $91,064 to remove obstructions in a runway.
• Piggott Municipal Airport, $90,900 to improve runway safety to be in compliance with FAA design standards.
• Memorial Field in Hot Springs, $38,000 to study options to improve an airport runway.
Metro on 09/01/2015