SENM airports share $3M in federal money for improvements

Southeast New Mexico airports shared over $3 million in federal airport infrastructure grants, according to a news release from New Mexico’s congressional delegation.

The money for airports in Eddy, Lincoln, Chaves, Otero, and Lea counties was part of a $18 million grant for airports across New Mexico. The funds were part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act or the Biden Infrastructure Bill, read the release.

“The money can be invested in runways, taxiways, safety and sustainability projects, as well as terminal, airport-transit connections, and roadway projects,” the release stated.

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Artesia’s Municipal Airport and Carlsbad’s Cavern City Air Terminal received $295,000.

“We are pleased to hear that the Cavern City Air Terminal is expecting $295,000 in airport infrastructure funding. The Biden Infrastructure Bill funding being allocated is similar to the entitlement funding which the City receives annually for project development,” said Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway.

He said the City normally received an annual allocation of $150,000. With the extra funds, Janway said more projects could be completed at the airport south of Carlsbad.

“The City already has an established Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) of projects. Staff will be working with the state to re-assess the CIP in order to best incorporate the additional funding into either an existing CIP project or adding another project,” he said.

“Staff is working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) representatives to get familiar with the funding parameters and how to access the funds,” Janway said.

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) said airports connect communities across New Mexico to tourism, business opportunities and commercial aviation.

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“Democrats in the New Mexico delegation fought hard for these historic investments in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that will modernize our airports and allow them to better serve travelers, health care providers, and businesses all across our state,” he said in the release.

The Sierra Blanca Regional Airport in Ruidoso received $295,000 and Carrizozo’s Municipal Airport got $110,000 along with the Lea County airport in Jal and Lovington’s Zip Franklin Memorial Airport, the release noted.

“New Mexico’s 46 airports are key economic drivers for our state,” said U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM). “That’s why I was honored to help shape the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to ensure our state’s airports received the necessary funding to make these long overdue upgrades. As tourism and travel continue to grow, I’m honored to join my colleagues in announcing this first round of funding that will serve New Mexicans well.”

The Alamogordo-White Sands Regional Airport received $159,000 from the federal government.

The Roswell International Air Center and Lea County Regional Airport in Hobbs received $1 million each.

Both communities have commuter jet service to larger airports.

American Eagle flies from Roswell to Dallas-Fort Worth and United Airways flies out of Hobbs to Denver and Houston, read websites for the respective airports.

“Our airports connect communities across the state, especially those in rural areas. We fought and voted for this historic investment in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law because we knew the impact of this funding for New Mexico,” said Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM).

“This $18 million will improve runways, taxiways, and other projects to revitalize New Mexico airports, grow our economy, and create good-paying jobs.”

More: Artesia Airport receives $59K in American Rescue Plan funds

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMichae on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: SENM airports share $3M in federal funds for improvements