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Grants boost plans to begin MidAmerica Airport terminal project

A grant totaling more than $4.7 million has been awarded to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Mascoutah.

The funds, awarded through the Federal Aviation Administration Airport Improvement Program, will be used to expand the terminal building, Bryan E. Johnson, airport director, told the Illinois Business Journal.

“This is great news for the MidAmerica St Louis Airport and Southern Illinois as the FAA, state and local leaders recognize the importance of modifying and improving the passenger terminal building with regular increases in passenger growth,” Johnson said, referring to market demand.

Total cost of the Passenger Terminal Modification – Phase 2 is $13 million, and the $4.7 million is the second FAA discretionary grant designated to MidAmerica St Louis Airport and the terminal modification project.

Combined with state and local funds, construction is expected to start within the next 60 days, he said.

U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, made the announcement of the grant last week.

“MidAmerica is an important hub of transportation for residents and military personnel in and around the Metro East,” said Bost. “This grant will allow MidAmerica to make critical updates to the airport terminal building, so that they can continue to serve the needs of Southern Illinoisans for years to come.”

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Separately, U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, both Illinois Democrats, announced Wednesday, Sept. 2, another $6.48 million for the terminal project at MidAmerica Airport.

The money — and money for several other Illinois airport projects — comes from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program and Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act grants and will be used for a variety of critical infrastructure and safety projects.

“Investing in our airports is key to Illinois’ economic success, especially as communities recover from the effects of COVID-19,” Durbin said. “This funding will help modernize our aviation infrastructure and provide important safety improvements. I will continue working with Senator Duckworth to ensure all corners of our state have access to these federal investments.”

“These federal investments at airports across Illinois will go a long way toward enhancing safety and operations,” Duckworth said. “This funding will also help ensure our state’s airports have additional resources to support local jobs and improve the traveler experience during and after this pandemic. Along with Senator Durbin, I will continue to push for funding that makes Illinois airports safer and more reliable.”

Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois in Marion is getting $1,325,829 to acquire snow removal equipment and install perimeter fencing.

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