FAA to fund five Arkansas airports for airport expansions and facility upgradation

Five airports in Arkansas, US, will receive funds of more than $1.2m from the US Federal Aviation Administration for the improvement of facilities and airport expansions.

The announcement was made by US Senators Mark Pryor and John Boozman, who were joined by Congressman Tim Griffin.

Pryor said: "Investing in our local airports stimulates Arkansas's economy and enhances business and travel opportunities for communities across the state.

"These funds will allow our airports to maintain their high standards of operation as they expand to meet the needs of our state."

Boozman was quoted as saying that these grants were an important investment for Arkansas's infrastructure and would help the airports to expand, improve services and encourage economic development.

The FY14 omnibus appropriations bill, which packages several appropriation bills together into one larger bill, is supporting this funding.

The airports that would receive the funding are Arkadelphia, Lake Village, Malvern, Searcy and Stuttgart.

Dexter B Florence Memorial Field Airport in Arkadelphia will receive $246,750 to install a fence around the airport perimeter to restrict unauthorised access to the airfield. The Lake Village Municipal Airport will be given $176,173 for its runway expansion.

Malvern Municipal Airport will receive approximately $321,975 for the construction of additional airport parking to meet the increasing demand in parking. Stuttgart Municipal Airport will be given $161,416 to widen one of its taxiways and Searcy Municipal Airport will be provided with $314,638 for a new access road, runway renovations and subdrain installation.