Airport receives funds
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – Northern Maine Regional Airport in Presque Isle is one of eight airports in the state to receive Federal Aviation Administration dollars to upgrade and expand their infrastructure.
The local airport’s share of the grant is $23,987, which will be used to rehabilitate an aircraft parking apron, both runways and four taxiways.
“We’ll be doing a crack-sealing project which maintains runways and extends the life of the pavement,” said Brenda Campbell, administrative assistant to the vacationing Scott Wardwell, airport director. “The city’s local match will be 5 percent of the project cost.
“The project is expected to begin within the next week or two,” she said, “and once the contractors are here and start the project, it shouldn’t take more than four or five days to complete … depending on the weather.”
Maine’s Congressional delegation praised the FAA’s announcement to award a total of $2,023,572 to Maine’s airports.
“Maine’s aviation infrastructure keeps our residents connected with the rest of the country and the world,” said Senators Olympia J. Snowe and Susan Collins in a press release. “These funds will help our local airports make critical upgrades and developments to improve air service and safety.”
“These investments will create jobs and help these airports with needed upgrades,” said Congressman Mike Michaud. “Economic development and business attraction require sound infrastructure, and the improvements made at these airports will not only ensure increased safety, but also help promote new business for the local economy.”
Other airports receiving federal funding include Hancock-Bar Harbor, Knox County Regional, Millinocket Municipal, Pittsfield Municipal, Princeton Municipal, Sugarloaf Regional, and Wiscasset.
