The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded $21.48 million in grants to support airport infrastructure upgrades at more than 50 locations across Mississippi. The funds, distributed through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) program, will be used for runway repaving, lighting improvements, apron expansions, signage, and terminal upgrades.
Notable awards include:
- Prentiss-Jefferson Davis County Airport: $600,000 in AIP funds and $110,000 in AIG funds to repave and restripe a 3,200-foot runway.
- Columbia-Marion County Airport: $809,984 to expand the airport’s apron by 12,000 square yards, increasing its capacity for corporate aircraft.
- Jackson Municipal Airport (Jackson): Three grants totaling over $4.2 million for various improvements.
- City of Magee: A combined $924,641 for airfield improvements under AIP and AIG.
- Hattiesburg’s Bobby L. Chain Municipal Airport: $233,510 to support runway and facility upgrades.
- Gulfport Biloxi Regional Airport Authority: Two grants totaling $232,028 for apron and surface improvements.
Additional grants were awarded to airports in Columbus, Grenada, Indianola, Houston, Oxford, Olive Branch, and other municipalities and counties.
The projects aim to enhance airfield safety, modernize facilities, and expand airport capacity across the state, supporting economic development and transportation reliability.