(The Center Square) – Shreveport is among the nine cities receiving federal funding for airport improvements from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration.
Shreveport Airport Authority is receiving $517,750 in federal funding specifically to reseal 34,000 square yards of pavement at the Shreveport Regional Airport.
Louisiana U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy announced the $5.2 million in funding for the state on Thursday.
“Airports connect our communities to the rest of the country and the world,” said Cassidy. “This investment makes Louisiana’s airports safer and more efficient.”
Shreveport’s airport is growing as it receives more traffic and travel. Back in June, SkyWest chose the Shreveport Regional Airport for its 13th maintenance base, which brought in 525 jobs to the area. Around 150 of those jobs were direct with average salaries of $70,000. “The facility will service SkyWest’s fleet of 500 commercial and aircraft operating partnerships with major airlines including Delta, United, Alaska and American Airlines,” said Caddo Parish Commission President Stormy Gage-Watts.
Not far from Shreveport, the town of Vivian was also among the recipients of airport improvements funding, totaling $102,875. This funding will go toward the purchase of 51.8 acres of land to protect Vivian Airport’s runway 9/27 approach.
The largest grant amount was awarded to the England Economic and Industrial Development District in Alexandria. The district will receive $2.9 million in federal funding for a 500-square-yard expansion of the South Apron at the Alexandria International Airport.
In total, nine recipients are to receive funding, including the England Economic and Industrial Development District in Alexandria, the Beauregard Parish Airport District No. 1, Shreveport Airport Authority, the town of Jonesville for the Jonesville Airport, Chennault International Airport Authority in Lake Charles, city of Winnsboro, Concordia Parish Airport Authority in Vidalia, the town of Vivian for Vivian Airport and Parish of Allen in Oakdale for Oakdale Airport.
