Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $200,000 in federal funding for Genesee County Airport. The funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and will be used to construct a terminal building and main hangar, both of which were built in 1964. The existing terminal is located within the runway safety area and considered a safety obstruction. The new facilities will be energy efficient and are being constructed to a LEED Silver standard which will create energy utility savings for Genesee County residents and will help further develop and modernize the airport.
“These federal funds will give Genesee County Airport the money needed to construct a new passenger terminal, which will pave the way for future airport investment and support regional economic development like the development of the STAMP park,” said Senator Schumer. “This funding is great news for all of the passengers, and companies that rely on this airport like Muller Quaker and is a smart investment in area residents, the airport, and the local economy.”
“Funding to construct a terminal building for Genesee County airport is a great investment for the community,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The airport’s expansion will help them keep pace with a growing travel and tourism industry and will help the airport run more efficiently.”
“This grant will help offset local costs which is great news. The county is funding the terminal locally as it is not available for full funding under the general AIP program,” said Timothy Hens, Superintendent of the Genesee County Highway Department.
The Genesee County Airport is located two miles from the central business district of Batavia. It is a county-owned airport for public use. The airport covers 326 acres, has one runway and averages 109 flights per day.
This funding is awarded through the Airport Improvement Program(AIP) and is administered by DOT’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The Airport Improvement Program provides grants to public agencies for the planning and development of public-use airports that are included in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS). Funds obligated for the AIP are drawn from the Airport and Airway Trust fund, which is supported by user fees, fuel taxes, and other similar revenue sources.