March 3, 2010
 
Rahall Announces More Than $900,000 in Federal Funding for Tri-State Airport
 
Special to Huntingtonnews.net
 
Washington, DC (HNN) -- U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.) announced Tuesday, March 2 that Tri-State Airport in Huntington, W.Va. will receive $906,838 in federal funding to move forward with construction of a new connector taxiway to serve general aviation growth.
 
“This is important for southern West Virginia,” said Rahall, who is Vice-Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. “This money supports a capacity project that will create opportunities for business development and expand our regional economy.”
 
The airport funding was awarded through the FAA’s Air Improvement Program (AIP), which provides significant funding to local airports, helping them expand airport runways and improve facilities. This grant is part of an effort to fund key infrastructure projects at airports across West Virginia and the nation.
 
“This is really good news and we greatly appreciate the opportunity to have this funding,” said Jerry Brienza, Tri-State Airport Director. “Congressman Rahall is a great supporter of our airport and we so appreciate all that he does for us.”
 
“Investments in infrastructure projects, like our airports, are central to the American way of life, but critically essential to the health and well-being of southern West Virginia’s economy,” said Rahall. “This is this kind of project that re-opens our plants doors, and gets our industries cranking and will pay dividends not only now, but for generations.”
 
This grant will provide federal funding to convert an outdated and unused runway into a new connector taxiway that will provide access to the airport’s south apron and future hanger development area, facilitating growth and development of general aviation services.