Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that eleven Maine airports will receive a total of $4,201,355 to support important infrastructure improvements. This funding comes from the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Fiscal Year 2025 Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG) program, made possible by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs 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, improving the safety and efficiency of their operations, while enhancing passengers’ overall experience.”
Specifically, the funding has been allocated as follows:
- Auburn/Lewiston Municipal Airport (LEW) – $1,163,000 to support multiple improvements including construction of a new 11,800 square foot hangar for aircraft storage, a new general aviation apron, and a 900-foot hangar taxilane to improve airfield access and bring the airport in alignment with current aviation standards.
- Eastern Slope Regional Airport (IZG) – $416,385 to update the airport’s master plan, which will guide future development.
- Pittsfield Municipal Airport (2B7) – $268,294 to acquire a snowplow attachment and reseal 4,003 feet of runway pavement to extend its service life.
- Dewitt Field/Old Town Municipal Airport (OLD) – $245,044 to reimburse the airport for construction of a portion of a new 9,000 square foot hangar completed in 2020 that is helping the airport generate additional revenue.
- Sugarloaf Regional Airport (B21) – $237,500 to design rehabilitation plans for 2,797 feet of runway to extend its service life.
- Augusta State Airport (AUG) – $213,750 to reconstruct airfield markings that have reached the end of their useful lives, improving safety for pilots and ground crews.
- Princeton Municipal Airport (PNN) – $183,350 to design a new 4,225 square foot hangar that will support airport self-sufficiency through increased aviation activity.
- Stephen A. Bean Municipal Airport (8B0) – $150,000 to reconstruct 3,444 square yards of existing terminal apron to extend its service life and construct new 750-foot taxilanes to improve airfield access.
- Northern Aroostook Regional Airport (FVE) – $118,720 to acquire snow removal equipment, including a snow blower and plow blade, to improve winter operations.
- Presque Isle International Airport (PQI) – $115,615 to acquire and install upgraded security equipment in accordance with federal regulations.
- Lincoln Regional Airport (LRG) – $89,697 to acquire 0.7 acres of land, including an on-property building, for future development,
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.
###