Cochran, Wicker Announce $4.8 Million in Grants for Mississippi Airports

U.S. Senator Thad Cochran

U.S. Senators Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) Thursday announced that more than $4.8 million in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grants will be split between three Mississippi airports.

The grants, totaling $4,861,684, will go to the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, Kosciusko-Attala County Airport, and the George M. Bryan Airport in Starkville.

“These grants represent a major investment to support the future growth of communities around Mississippi,” said Cochran. “In addition to improving safety and efficiency, infrastructure investments like these can help the long-term economic outlook for our state.”

“These FAA grants to local airports will help promote economic development and improve the safety of those traveling to and from our state,” said Wicker. “The funds will support important projects for infrastructure growth and, specifically in Gulfport and Biloxi, give nearby homeowners the assurance of reduced noise pollution.”

The Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport was the largest FAA grant recipient in the state, receiving $3,420,000 for noise mitigation measures for residences around the airport.

The Kosciusko-Attala County Airport will receive $760,710 to be directed toward runway rehabilitation. Starkville’s George M. Bryan Airport will receive $680,974 to improve the runway safety area.

The grants were funded in the FY2015 Omnibus Appropriations Bill. Cochran serves as the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Wicker serves as a senior member of the Senate Commerce Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over the FAA.