Senator Collins Announces More Than $1.3 Million for Airport Improvements Across Maine

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that five Maine airports will receive a total of $1,326,261 to support important infrastructure improvements. The funding comes from the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Fiscal Year 2025 Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG) program, made possible by the Infrastructure Investment and Job Act (IIJA). Senator Collins was one of 10 senators who?negotiated the IIJA, which provided $15 billion for airport improvements nationwide.

“Maine’s airports are vital pieces of our state’s transportation network that promote job creation and economic development. Throughout our state, airports play a critical role not only in carrying residents and visitors, but also in facilitating medical services for those in rural communities during emergencies when seconds count,”?said Senator Collins. “These significant investments will allow airports across Maine to make much-needed improvements to their infrastructure.”

Specifically, the funding has been allocated as follows: 

1. Belfast Municipal Airport (BST) - $389,500 to construct a new double pump fuel facility, which will assist the airport to be as self-sustaining as possible by generating revenue.

2. Bethel Regional Airport (0B1) - $340,100 to update the existing airport master plan study and to construct a new 500-foot taxi lane west of the existing apron to provide airfield access to a non-exclusive hangar development area.

3. Millinocket Municipal Airport (MLT) - $317,970 to extend Taxiway D an additional 670 feet to serve the hangar development area.

4. Eastport Municipal Airport (EPM) - $150,821 to rehabilitate the existing 1,575 square foot non-revenue generating parking lot at non-primary airport to extend its useful life.

5. Central Maine Regional Airport (OWK) - $127,870 to reconstruct the existing Taxiway A edge lighting with LED and to reconstruct the runway end identifier lights system and precision approach path indicator system for Runway 15/33.

Since joining the Appropriations Committee in 2009, Senator Collins has helped to secure more than $1 billion in competitive transportation grants for the State of Maine.

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