These Oregon airports set to receive ‘vital’ federal funding

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – On Friday, lawmakers announced that multiple airports in Oregon will receive over $3 million in federal funding.

U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, as well as U.S. Reps. Suzanne Bonamici, Andrea Salinas, Val Hoyle, Janelle Bynum, and Maxine Dexter revealed that 10 airports in Oregon will receive federal funding with a combined total of $3.14 million.

“Small airports throughout our state need and deserve federal investments so Oregonians can count on them for small business support, emergency response, secure travel and more,” Wyden said. “These federal resources advance those key objectives statewide, and I’ll keep battling for similar infrastructure investments to make all airports in Oregon better and safer.”

The cities benefiting include: McMinnville, Burns, Florence, Troutdale, Ontario, Corvallis, Lexington, Newport, Tillamook, and Gold Beach.

“Small airports are vital for rural Oregonians,” said Rep. Salinas. “They support local businesses and enable emergency responses when our communities need them most. This $1 million investment in McMinnville Municipal Airport will replace aging infrastructure and improve safety for everyone who uses it. I’m proud to help deliver these federal dollars to the airports that keep Oregon connected, and I’ll keep pushing to make sure rural communities keep getting the federal investment they deserve.”

Officials broke down the funding show below:

The awards totaling $3.14 million from the federal Department of Transportation for the Oregon airports are as follows:

• $1 million to the city of McMinnville for McMinnville Municipal Airport to acquire and install a new wind cone to help pilots; to build 12,500 feet of perimeter fencing and 10 gates.
• $417,996 to the city of Burns for Burns Municipal Airport to build a new 1,600-square-foot snow removal equipment building
• $400,338 to the city of Florence for the Florence Municipal Airport to acquire and install a new wind cone and segmented circle navigational aid for pilots
• $289,000 to the Port of Portland for Troutdale Airport to reseal 13,000 feet of existing taxiways and joints
• $274,708 to the city of Ontario for Ontario Municipal Airport to build a new helipad
• $245,950 to the city of Corvallis for Corvallis Municipal Airport to build a new 1,300-foot north taxi lane to provide airfield access to a non-exclusive hangar development area
• $160,332 to Morrow County for the Lexington Airport to replace the precision approach path indicator for a runway; to replace and relocate the existing precision approach path indicator for another runway
• $137,000 to the city of Newport for the Newport Airport to build a new 5,250-square-foot non-exclusive use hangar for aircraft storage
• $137,000 to the Port of Tillamook Bay for the Tillamook Airport to build a new fuel farm by adding two fuel tanks and two self-service pumps and associated apron pavement for a new fuel type
• $78,063 to the Port of Gold Beach for Gold Beach Municipal Airport to reseal 3,200 feet of runway pavement; to reseal 3,200 feet of taxiway pavement

Local leaders are excited about the opportunity to expand the safety for pilots and travel efficiency

"The City of Florence is excited to receive this FAA funding to support the Beacon & Wind Cone Replacement Project at the Florence Municipal Airport,” the city said in a statement. “This project will help to improve essential airport safety infrastructure, as well as support safe and reliable aviation facilities that serve local and regional users. The Florence Municipal Airport is an economic driver for our area that provides a valuable space for commerce, emergency response, and recreational uses. The City of Florence is grateful for the continued support of this regional asset."