WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., released the following statement after 18 airports received over $8 million in total to upgrade their runways, taxiways, and lighting, and purchase new safety and navigation equipment.

“Safety and system upgrades will provide a better experience for travelers and support economic growth opportunities in Mississippi. These investments will pay dividends for our state’s future,” Senator Wicker said.

The grants will support:

• Belzoni Municipal Airport in Belzoni
• Received $365,573 to construct a new 4,000 square foot sponsor-owned 2-bay hangar for aircraft storage.
• Panola County Airport in Batesville
• Received $345,987 to fund a portion of a project that reconstructs the existing runway lighting system.
• Hattiesburg/Laurel Regional Airport in Moselle
• Received $607,150 to acquire a new Foreign Object Debris sweeper to enhance safety. This project also reconstructs the existing lighting on the apron.
• Tupelo Regional Airport in Tupelo
• Received $535,775 to rehabilitate the existing south general aviation apron pavement.
• Yazoo County Airport in Yazoo City
• Received $308,393 to reseal/resurface the existing runway pavement and joints.
• Tishomingo County Airport in Belmont
• Received $234,812 to install precision approach path indicator system.
• Vicksburg Municipal Airport in the City of Vicksburg
• Received $135,108 to reseal/resurface the existing terminal apron pavement and joints.
• Ruleville-Drew Airport in Drew
• Received $84,000 to acquire and install a new wind cone and segmented circle navigational aids to provide pilots with critical airfield information.
• Kosciusko-Attala County Airport in Kosciusko
• Received $91,393 to update the existing airport master plan study.
• New Albany/Union County Airport in New Albany
• Received $113,410 to install perimeter fencing/gates.
• Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport in Gulfport
• Received $2,989,602 to construct a new general aviation apron.
• Okolona Municipal/Richard Stovall Field in the City of Okolona
• Received $200,000 to reseal the existing runway pavement.
• Ripley Airport in Ripley
• Received $109,354 to rehabilitate the existing runway pavement markings.
• University-Oxford Airport in Oxford
• Received $91,430 to rehabilitate the existing terminal access road drainage.
• Dean Griffin Memorial Airport in Wiggins
• Received $352,768 to replace the existing airport rotating beacon, reconstruct the existing lighting, acquire and install a new wind cone and segmented circle navigational, and install a precision approach path indicator system.
• Indianola Municipal Airport in Indianola
• Received $91,393 to reseal the existing parallel taxiway pavement cracks and joints.
• Fletcher Field Airport in Clarksdale
• Received $91,393 to rehabilitate the existing runway to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement and to minimize foreign object debris.
• Columbus-Lowndes County Airport
  • Received $1,860,805 to rehabilitate the existing runway pavement.

The Federal Aviation Administration will award the grants.