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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and Congressman Gregg Harper (R-Miss.) today announced $628,260 in federal grant funding for improvements at Key Field in Meridian.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded two airport improvement grants to the Meridian Airport Authority for improvements to Key Field, a joint-use facility that is home to the National Guard’s 186th Air Refueling Wing. A $459,607 grant will be used airfield guidance sign reconstruction and taxiway rehabilitation, while a second $168,653 award will be used to improve drainage at the airport.
“Key Field is important to the Lauderdale County region as a transportation asset and for its contributions to our national security. These new grants will ensure the airport is well-equipped to carry out its various missions,” Cochran said.
“I am pleased that Meridian’s Key Field will be able to complete these much-needed improvement projects,” Wicker said. “Continual investment in Mississippi’s airports preserves essential air services for our local community and our nation’s military.”
“The aviation history of Meridian’s Key Field is unlike any other,” said Harper. “These grants will provide critical improvements for Key Field to continue to provide transportation options for the people of Mississippi and allow the men and women of the 186th Air Refueling Wing and the Mississippi military community fulfill their duties for our nation.”
The discretionary funding grants represent the third FAA grant awarded this year for Key Field. In early June, the Meridian Airport Authority received $563,097 in FAA formula grant funding for equipment acquisition and other safety improvements.
FAA airport improvement grants are funded through the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, which is supported by user fees, fuel taxes, and other similar revenue sources.
