Aeronautic grants awarded in Montana

Helena - The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT)’s Aeronautics Board approved a little over $660,000 in funding requests from 32 public-use airports during their Helena meeting on January 21, 2016.The requests were for a variety of improvement projects ranging from installation of weather observation equipment to runway reconstruction projects.

Funding for this program is provided by a $0.02 / gallon tax on fuel sold to general aviation aircraft in Montana.  Most of the money awarded in grants and loans each year goes to leverage 90/10 Federal (FAA) match dollars for large airport construction projects. Almost $2.3 million in local match money requested but only about $660,000 in state aid was available. “State funding is tight,” said Debbie Alke, MDT Aeronautics Division Administrator.   “Long-term transportation funding is also an issue facing Montana’s aviation facilities.”

Any public airport is eligible to apply for assistance through the loan and grant program. Funds can be used for a wide variety of airport and aviation related projects. Applications for the funding are due for submission to MDT’s Aeronautics Division on November 15 each year, and the money is typically awarded in January of the following year.  Although the money is awarded in January, the funds are not available until the beginning of the next fiscal year - July 1. During their meeting the Montana Aeronautics Board reviews the applications and takes public comment before making their final award determinations for the upcoming fiscal year.

For more information regarding the program, please contact Tim Conway, MDT Aeronautics Division, at tconway@mt.gov or call (406) 444-9547.

The projects funded for FY 2017 are as follows:

AERONAUTICS BOARD (Page 2)

Large Commercial Service Airport Pavement Preservation Program

AIRPORT                                           GRANT AMOUNT

Billings                                                              $7,000

Bozeman                                                          $7,000

Butte                                                                 $7,000

Great Falls                                                        $7,000

Helena                                                              $7,000

Kalispell                                                            $7,000

Missoula                                                           $7,000

Sidney                                                               $7,000

Total                                                                  $56,000