WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., today announced the award of $5.68 million for improvements to 12 airports in Mississippi. The grants will be awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) on behalf of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

“Mississippi’s airports connect our state to the wider world and contribute to economic development, tourism, and commerce in their communities,” Wicker said. “This funding will support growth and improve safety for the many travelers, businesses, and pilots who rely upon these airports across our state.”

“Viable airports require regular maintenance and upgrades, particularly those serving rural communities.  This first series of FAA grants support those efforts at Mississippi airports.  They will be used to improve safety and to help draw industry and economic development to these communities,” Hyde-Smith said.

The FAA grants for Mississippi will support the following airport improvement projects:

• Dean Griffin Memorial Airport, City of Wiggins - $1,610,403 to rehabilitate 12,000 square yards of the existing apron pavement, 3,500 feet of the existing runway, and 500 feet of the existing taxiway;
• Panola County Airport, Panola County - $1,446,570 to rehabilitate 5,001 feet of runway;
• Stennis International Airport, Hancock County - $699,061 to rehabilitate 8,000 feet of the existing parallel taxiway pavement;
• Pontotoc County Airport, Pontotoc County - $411,240 to construct a 9,450-square-foot hangar building and rehabilitate 560 feet of the existing hangar taxiways;
• C. A. Moore Airport, City of Lexington - $348,210 to rehabilitate 3,200 feet of runway, 185 feet of the existing taxiway, and 5,000 square yards of the existing terminal apron;
• McCharen Field, City of West Point - $219,367 to acquire 39.6 acres of land;
• James H. Easom Field, City of Newton - $208,800 to rehabilitate 300 square yards of the existing apron pavement and remove tree obstructions;
• Indianola Municipal Airport, City of Indianola - $200,358 to rehabilitate 2,250 feet of runway;
• Iuka Airport, City of Iuka - $180,159 to remove tree and terrain obstructions to improve safety;
• Olive Branch Airport, City of Olive Branch - $150,000 to update the airport master plan narrative report and airport layout plan;
• Columbus-Lowndes County Airport, City of Columbus - $141,570 to rehabilitate 4,500 feet of runway;
• Prentiss-Jefferson Davis County Airport, City of Prentiss - $64,420 to rehabilitate 10,000 square yards of the existing terminal apron and 310 feet of the airport's existing access road.