Airport grant

A longtime runway extension project at the Enterprise Municipal Airport received a significant boost Wednesday when a $160,000 federal grant request was awarded.

U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby’s office made the announcement that the City of Enterprise grant request was approved under a federal appropriation for on-site capital improvements designated for airport improvements. 

The $160,000 grant will be used to extend the FAA-approved runway at the Enterprise Airport from 5,100 feet to 6,000.

“This project is important to our airport modernization plans,” said Mayor William E. Cooper. “We are grateful to Sen. Shelby for his input in obtaining the federal appropriations that will not only help our airport but others all over the state. We have been preparing in recent months to move ahead with the runway extension, and this grant award will make a great difference in that process.”

The project is a part of ongoing improvements at the city airport which Mayor William E. Cooper said are being done in order to welcome and sustain growth at the airport.

A 3,000-square-foot modern terminal building was dedicated in March 2021. A new fueling system was installed last year and other technological upgrades were made. An asphalt overlay was also done to reinforce the area near the terminal where smaller plans are parked and tied down.

The planned extension will help toward the mayor’s goal of accommodating larger aircraft at the airport.

Other airports receiving a portion of the $17.8 million available in the federal appropriation were Tuscaloosa National, Auburn University Regional, Prattville-Grouby Field, Isbell Field at Fort Payne, Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International, Chilton County at Clanton, Abbeville Municipal and Mobile International.

“These improvements will go a long way toward increasing travel to and from Alabama and the overall safety of these airports,” Shelby said in the grant announcement. “This investment stands to benefit several communities in Alabama, and I look forward to witnessing the growth and success of each of them.”

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