CAE to receive $3.7 million in federal funding

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Columbia Metropolitan Airport has received $3.7 million in federal airport infrastructure funding.

The funds, part of $477 million awarded by the Federal Aviation Administration to airports throughout the country, will be used to improve a terminal and update the airport’s master plan, according to a news release from the FAA.

A total of 276 grants are being made to 264 airports in 44 states, the Pacific Islands and the District of Columbia, including 10 in South Carolina. CAE received the largest grant in the state in the most recent round of funding, announced Tuesday.

Charleston International Airport received a $12.2 million grant to improve access roads last month.

“This significant investment in airport improvements in South Carolina will fund construction and rehabilitation projects that will help maintain high levels of safety in U.S. aviation,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao said in the release.

Jim Hamilton L.B. Owens Airport received $550,000, which will be used to improve drainage, an access road, the taxiway and apron and to install perimeter fencing.

The eight other S.C. airports receiving grants are:

• Aiken Regional Airport in Aiken, $351,450. Grant funds will be used to construct an airport apron.
• Barnwell Regional Airport in Barnwell, $121,803. Grant funds will be used to rehabilitate an airport apron.
• Marlboro County Jetport in Bennettsville, $347,944. Grant funds will be used to rehabilitate an airport apron.
• Greenville Downtown Airport in Greenville, $300,000. Grant funds will be used to update an airport master plan study.
• Greenwood County Airport in Greenwood, $964,275. Grant funds will be used to rehabilitate a taxiway.
• Grand Strand Airport in Myrtle Beach, $3.5 million. Grant funds will be used to rehabilitate a taxiway.
• Rock Hill York County Airport in Rock Hill, $92,340. Grant funds will be used to improve airport drainage.
• Oconee County Regional in Seneca, $1 million. Grant funds will be used to expand an airport apron.

The U.S.’s airport infrastructure includes 3,332 airports and 5,000 paved runways, according to the release. A recent FAA economic analysis found U.S. civil aviation accounts for $1.6 trillion in total economic activity and supports nearly 11 million jobs.

Airports can receive a certain amount of funding each year based on activity levels and project needs, according to the release. If capital project needs exceed available funds, the FAA can provide discretionary supplemental funding.