NH Delegation Applauds Over $5.7 Million in Federal Grants for Manchester, Lebanon & Pease Airports
**Federal Grants Will Support Improvement Projects at the Airports to Improve Efficiency and Safety for the Flying Public**
(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) awarded $5,744,000 in federal grants to support infrastructure, operations and safety at Manchester, Lebanon and Pease Airports. The federal funding was awarded under the agency’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP). Shaheen, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, helped craft the omnibus funding legislation for fiscal year (FY) 2020 that included $3.75 billion for AIP.
Under this funding, Manchester-Boston Regional Airport will be awarded with $3,595,000 for airport terminal improvements and to reconfigure an existing taxiway. Lebanon Municipal Airport will receive $1,174,000 to acquire snow removal equipment and support airport infrastructure rehabilitation projects. Portsmouth International Airport at Pease will receive $975,000 to rehabilitate the airport’s apron where aircraft are parked, unloaded or loaded.
“The airports in Manchester, Lebanon and Portsmouth serve as important transportation hubs for their regions, helping to spur economic growth by easing travel for both residents and visitors,” said Senator Shaheen. “These federal dollars are a valuable investment that will go a long way towards bolstering the operations and safety at these airports. Ensuring New Hampshire continues to receive the funding it needs to improve our airports, roads, rails and bridges will continue to be a top priority for me in the Senate.”
“These significant grants to New Hampshire’s largest airports will help support existing infrastructure and ensure that these critical transportation hubs can thrive,” Senator Hassan said. “Strong and safe infrastructure is fundamental to our state’s economic growth. I will continue working with the rest of the delegation to secure additional funding and resources for transportation projects across our state.”
“Investing in our local airports in Lebanon, Manchester and Portsmouth is a win-win for our economy and Granite Staters,” said Congresswoman Kuster. “These airports are critical transportation centers in New Hampshire, and this funding will help improve and strengthen their operations and safety. I’ll continue working to ensure our communities have the funding, support, and resources they need to grow and thrive.”
“Our airports are engines of the state’s economy, and it’s important these facilities are safe, competitive, and strong,” said Congressman Pappas. “These grants will provide for much-needed upgrades to terminals and taxiways, and they will support safety and operations that will benefit residents, businesses, and tourists alike. As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I’ll keep working with our delegation and members of both parties to modernize our transportation infrastructure.”
