By Scott Rogers
The city of Monroe is seeking almost $20 million in federal and state monies to conduct a number of capital improvement projects at the Monroe Regional Airport over the next five years.
The Monroe City Council signed off on the request Wednesday during a special meeting.
Each year the city puts in a request for federal and state funding for capital improvement projects at the airport.
Airport manager Ron Phillips said the airport typically receives about $4.3 million each year from the state and FAA.
Projects airport officials hope to tackle over the next five years include taxiway rehabilitation, runway extensions, work on aviation hangars, drainage improvement projects and security fencing restoration.
The city has requested $4.4 million for 2013; $3.9 million in 2014; $3.9 million for 2015; $3.4 million in 2016; and $4.1 million for 2017.
The funding would come mostly from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program. The state would be required to match the federal government’s funding by 10 percent. The city of Monroe would not be required to put up any funding for these projects.
Projects eligible for funding through the Airport Improvement Program include those related to enhancing airport safety, capacity, security and environmental concerns. Applicants can use the funds on most airfield capital improvements or repairs and in some specific situations, for terminals, hangars and non-aviation development.
Aviation demand at the airport must justify the projects, which must meet federal environmental and procurement requirements, according to FAA’s website.
http://www.thenewsstar.com/article/20121101/NEWS01/211010303/Monroe-airport-seeks-20-million-projects