Sixteen airports throughout Minnesota have been awarded over $5 million in federal grants to fund a number of maintenance and construction projects, including the St. James Municipal Airport. The St. James Airport received $144,216 to rehabilitate the runway. Today the offices of Transportation Chairman Jim Oberstar (D-Minn), Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken (D-Minn), and Rep. Collin Peterson, Keith Ellison, and Tim Walz (D-Minn) announced that the grants will come from the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FFA) Airport Improvement Program, administered by the Department of Transportation.
“Airports in rural Minnesota are an important part of our transportation system, they move people and products, creating new jobs and business opportunities,” said Rep. Oberstar. “This program ensures they are kept in good repair.”
“These airports are a vital part of the transportation infrastructure that keeps rural Minnesota connected to the world,” said Se. Klobuchar. “Rural airports need regular maintenance and repairs to provide safe reliable transportation and economic opportunities in Minnesota.”
“Because of our heavy snows, these airport repairs and new construction are especially important to the safety and well-being of Minnesotans,” said Sen Franken. “These grants will create jobs and go a long way towards making sure our airports remain functional despite the cold weather.”
“Improving our municipal airports is vital to the region,” said Rep. Walz. “Airport infrastructure is a community’s lifeline to outside opportunity, enticing new business and bolstering the existing economy. The construction will not only create jobs but also provide numerous opportunities for local suppliers of building materials and providers of goods and services to support these jobs.”
St. James, MN —
