Two local airports receive thousands in federal funding

Two local airports have received thousands in allocations from the federal government. 

Sen. Maria Cantwell announced in a news release early this month the Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport and the Port of Whitman County’s Business Air Center were among 28 Washington airports to be granted the funding. 

The Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport was given more than $600,000 to update its master plan, according to the news release. The Port’s Business Air Center was allocated almost $50,000 to determine the feasibility of installing a weather observation station at the airport near Colfax. 

Cantwell said in the news release the Port’s airport does not have weather-reporting capabilities, and the nearest weather station is located in Pullman. 

More than $47 million was distributed to 28 airports across the state as part of the Airport Improvement Program, as well as the Airport Infrastructure Grant Program and the Airport Terminal Program. Cantwell said in the news release the efforts were made to add flight capacity, modernize aging airport facilities, increase safety and enhance the overall passenger experience for the traveling public. 

She said it was also to support the industry during a record-setting summer travel season. 

The Transportation Security Administration set a record for the most passengers screened in a single day last month, according to the news release, with nearly 3 million travelers going through TSA security June 23. 

Cantwell noted in the news release seven of the busiest air travel days ever were recorded during June. The agency expects a new record number of travelers to be set this month. 

Eastern Washington’s economic growth is linked to the efficiency of transportation hubs, Cantwell said in the news release, and most economic development occurs within a few miles of an airport. 

“By investing in our airport infrastructure — like Spokane Airport’s recently unveiled new terminal — we are also paving the way to attract more businesses, and adding capacity to expanding flight destinations for the traveling public,” Cantwell said in the news release. 

Pearce can be reached at epearce@dnews.com.