USDOT announces another $300,000 infrastructure grant to one airport in Wyoming

U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will award $616.9 million in airport infrastructure grants as part of the total $3.35 billion in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding for airports across the United States. It was announced in July that $20.3 million will be awarded to 16 airports in Wyoming. This latest announcement brings the total for Wyoming airports to $20.6 million in grant funds awarded to 17 airports across the state.  The grant funding will be administered by the Wyoming Department of Transportation’s Aeronautics Division.

The U.S. transportation infrastructure, with its 3,332 airports and 5,000 paved runways as an essential component, increases the country’s competitiveness and improves the traveling public’s quality of life. According to WYDOT’s most recent economic analysis, 35 airports in the Wyoming Aviation System account for $1.4 billion in total economic activity and support more than 12,000 jobs annually.  

In addition to administering the funding, WYDOT’s Aeronautics Division advocates for projects for local governments. The Aeronautics Division is also involved with the planning and engineering of these projects.

All of the projects put forward are approved by the Wyoming Aeronautics Commission through the Aeronautics Division’s Wyoming Aviation Capital Improvement Program. Projects are thoroughly vetted and all necessary information has been coordinated before grant applications are made.  

The FAA typically awards between $30-35 million to Wyoming airports each year. The state gives an average of $8.5 million yearly to match federal and/or local funds for airport development.

The newly announced $300,000 grant award is to the Torrington Municipal Airport to acquire land, conduct environmental analysis, and design the relocation of the parallel taxiway to the main runway.