Improvements to Greenville Mid-Delta Regional Airport are set to get underway after being awarded $2,375,306 in federal grants.
The funds will be used to improve commercial service runway safety, acquire an aircraft rescue, firefighting vehicle and other miscellaneous equipment.
The announcement was made last week by U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., that a total of $7.99 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation on behalf of the Federal Aviation Administration would be awarded to four airports throughout the state for needed improvements.
Mid-Delta Regional Airport director Sam Washington said overtime with growth and terrain shift, the airport grounds have gotten unleveled in some areas and their goal is to bring it as close to a level surface as they can, and such improvements will cost roughly $1,000,000 alone.
About $400,000 is being used to buy a sweeper truck that is tailored for airport use, but with the familiar concept of clearing the runways and taxiways of debris so that aircraft won’t pick up anything it shouldn’t.
“The (ARFF) truck is actually going to the State Fire Academy and the academy will use the truck to conduct Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) training,” Washington said. “All of our firefighters all have to go once a year to what we call ‘hot drill.’”
The drill prepares the fire fighters for a real-life rescue mission in which an aircraft is actually set on fire and passengers are pulled out. The academy is not able to get grants directly from the FAA so the airport serves as a “pass-through” for the academy and the funds, approximately $400,000 are turned over to the academy to purchase the ARFF vehicle.
In addition to Greenville, grants are being awarded to Meridian in the amount of $4,515,033 to acquire equipment, reconstruct and rehabilitate taxiway, rehabilitate an access road, improve airport drainage, conduct a study, install perimeter fencing, rehabilitate runway, and rehabilitate taxiway lighting; Tupelo in the amount of $741,000 to acquire an aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle; and Starkville in the amount of $356,749 to acquire land for approaches.
“This round of grants will help airports across our state make important safety upgrades and purchase much-needed equipment,” Wicker said. “These large awards are a testament to the strength of their applications and their plans to improve their facilities for Mississippians.”
Echoing Wicker’s remarks, Hyde-Smith said, “These FAA resources will support safety and infrastructure improvements at airports serving Meridian, Greenville, Starkville and Tupelo. Improving these facilities should increase their value as assets that broaden the appeal of each community as economic hubs in our state. I will continue to support transportation and infrastructure priorities that benefit Mississippi’s economy and its communities as we work on appropriations for FY 2020.”
