WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Thad Cochran, R-Miss., today announced nearly $950,000 in federal grant funding for Tupelo Regional Airport improvements.

The Tupelo Airport Authority is receiving $948,223, of which $829,179 is from FY2016 appropriated funding provided by Congress for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for airport safety and infrastructure.

“I’m pleased to see the Federal Aviation Administration make this investment in the Tupelo Regional Airport.  Continuing improvements at the airport can help increase economic development and connectivity throughout Northeast Mississippi,” Cochran said.

“These funds represent a commitment by the federal government to improve Tupelo Regional Airport’s existing infrastructure,” Wicker said.  “The FAA grants help to ensure that passengers in North Mississippi continue to have access to affordable, safe air travel.” 

The FAA Airport Improvement Program funding for Tupelo will go toward rehabilitation of a taxiway and runway, which could lead to improvements in passenger safety and airport efficiency.  The goal of the work is to maintain the structural integrity of the existing taxiway.

Last year, Wicker and Cochran, along with U.S. Representative Trent Kelly (R-Miss.), announced a similar $716,779 grant for runway safety improvements, fencing installation and runway rehabilitation at the Tupelo airport.

Many Mississippi airports benefit from this program to help facilities meet FAA operations and safety standards.