ALBANY – Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that 36 public-use airports across New York State will receive approximately $49 million for strategic infrastructure enhancements that will enhance safety, facilitate innovation, leverage existing resources, advance business development, and promote sustainability and resiliency.
“A strong investment in our airports is a meaningful investment in our communities and the future of the Empire State,” Governor Hochul said. “Airports are gateways to communities large and small across New York State and these grants will serve as a launchpad to springboard many of these facilities into the 21st century and beyond.”
Here in the Southern Tier, the Elmira-Corning Regional Airport will receive approximately $800,000 which will be put toward the acquisition of electrified equipment and associated charging infrastructure. The Corning-Painted Post Airport will receive around $300,000 which will be used to purchase an excavator with attachments for ground maintenance. And the Ithaca-Tompkins International Airport will receive $1.4 million toward the construction of a 2,600 sq.ft. Emergency Operations facility that would be co-located within a proposed Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting/Snow Removal Equipment (ARFF/SRE) facility which is being funded by FAA.
Administered by the New York State Department of Transportation, projects funded through the Aviation Capital Grant Program include the construction and rehabilitation of new and existing hangars, electrification and carbon reduction programs, new and upgraded snow removal equipment, and updated security systems. These investments will serve to make the surrounding communities more economically competitive with neighboring states.