Aviation plays a big role in Georgia — which is currently home to 105 public-use airports ranging from small general aviation to the busiest commercial airport in the world, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Airports across the state contribute more than $62 billion to Georgia’s economy and support commercial, recreational and tourist activities.
Today, there is good news out of Washington for a handful of these airports. US DOT Secretary Elaine Chao announced that five Georgia airports are expected to be recipients of U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Airport Improvement Program grants totaling $12.6 million.
According to Chao, the grants are part of a total $485 million in airport infrastructure grants to be awarded to 108 airports across the nation this year.
Among the Georgia airports expected to receive the funding are:
Cartersville Airport
Award: $2.73 million to improve a runway safety area
Columbus Airport
Award: $3.53 million to modify its terminal building
Hazlehurst Airport
Award: $2.4 million to rehabilitate a runway
Perry-Houston County Airport
Award: $2.0 million to construct an apron
Kaolin Field (Sandersville)
Award: $2.0 million to rehabilitate a runway
Last year, Georgia airports received a total of $145.2 million in federal, state and local funding. And the state’s Amended FY 2018 budget provided $25.9 million to extend 13
runways at regional airports throughout Georgia to help grow vital industries in rural communities.
