by Jeff Della Rosa (JDellaRosa@nwabj.com)
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation announced Thursday (Dec. 16) it will award $2.89 billion in fiscal 2022 to 3,075 U.S. airports as a result of the new infrastructure law. In Arkansas, $23.35 million will go to 65 commercial, county and municipal airports.
The law provides $15 billion over five years for airport-related projects under the existing Airport Improvement Grant and Passenger Facility Charge programs. The money can be invested in runways, taxiways, safety and sustainability, terminal, airport-transit connections and roadway projects.
In Arkansas, the largest amounts awarded in the first round of airport funding from the law will go to the three largest commercial airports in the state:
Clinton National Airport in Little Rock, $4.89 million
Northwest Arkansas National Airport in Highfill, $4.46 million
Fort Smith Regional Airport, $1.27 million.
