Mississippi airports to receive over $10 million in federal grants for upgrades

More than $10 million in federal grants will support improvements at 12 airports across Mississippi, according to U.S. Senator Roger Wicker. The funding comes from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Infrastructure Grant program.

Wicker, a Republican, announced Tuesday that the grants totaling $10,177,785 will fund projects such as runway construction, lighting, signage, and terminal upgrades. The goal is to enhance safety and efficiency in the state’s airspace system, he said.

Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport received the largest share, with $5.5 million allocated for lighting upgrades on the cargo and passenger terminals, as well as the fueling apron. Other projects include new hangars, runway rehabilitations, taxiway construction, and apron improvements at airports in Tupelo, Corinth, Iuka, Lexington, Tishomingo County, Yazoo County, Panola County, Stennis International, Belzoni, Tunica, and Holly Springs-Marshall County.

Several projects also benefit from funding authorized under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which was signed into law in 2021. Wicker, who was a lead Republican on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee during negotiations, emphasized the importance of these upgrades for safety and economic development in Mississippi.

Details of the individual projects include the construction of a new service road at Tupelo, a new hangar at Tishomingo County, and pavement rehabilitations at multiple airports, according to the FAA. The grants aim to improve airport facilities while supporting local jobs and infrastructure growth.

Source: Original Article