WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and Congressman Steven Palazzo, R-Miss., today announced a $10.2 million grant to the Columbia-Marion County Airport Authority to extend the airport runway by 1,040 feet.

“This grant represents a significant investment in the future of Marion County and its airport,” Wicker said. “By extending the runway an additional 1,040 feet, the Columbia-Marion County Airport will be able to support a much broader range of aircraft from companies and individuals looking to do business in south Mississippi. I was proud to support their application for this important project.”

“Extending the Columbia-Marion County runway will help facilitate an overall strategy to boost economic development and job creation in this rural county. FAA investment in infrastructure projects like this can help drive stronger economic activity in our state,” Hyde-Smith said.

“This grant will enhance the airport’s overall capability as it will allow for accommodation of larger aircraft. Ultimately, this will result in positive economic growth for key corporations in Marion County and throughout the State of Mississippi. I commend the Columbia-Marion County Airport Authority on its effort to ensure economic sustainability and am pleased to see them receive this important funding,” Palazzo said.

“I commend Congressman Steven Palazzo and Senators Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith for recognizing the importance of this project and supporting it. The project will improve the long-term sustainably of the airport by allowing it to serve larger aircrafts. The major use of the airport is local corporations that use it as a base to do business all over the country. In addition, corporations from other areas use the airport to do business in our area. The improvement of the airport makes this industrial site more inviting to potential companies looking to locate here.” Tom Porter, Chairman of the Columbia-Marion County Airport Authority stated.

The runway extension will enhance the long-term economic sustainability of the airport by addressing the need for larger aircraft to utilize the airport. The improvements would also create an opportunity for Marion County to develop an industrial park on the more than 2,000 acres of public-owned land adjacent to the airport. The site is centrally located between I-10 South, I-20 North, I-59 East, and I-55 West.

The grant will be awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation on behalf of the Federal Aviation Administration.