Contact: Ernie Blazar 202-224-7627 Shana Stribling 224-0309
Wednesday, March 13, 2002

WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Kit Bond today announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is sending $6,039,202 million in federal funding for the expansion and renovation of the Springfield-Branson Regional Airport.

"The new and improved Springfield-Branson airport will provide locals and tourists alike with first-class service," said Bond, who secured the funds. "I am pleased I am able to provide tax payers an opportunity to see their tax dollars hard at work.”

This is the second installment of a $30.2 million Letter of Intent (LOI) from the FAA for improvements to the Springfield-Branson Regional Airport. Bond, along with Congressman Blunt, worked to secure the $30.2 million for the renovations, providing the largest federal financial commitment in the airport's history. The money was secured in the fiscal year 2002 Transportation Appropriations Bill.

The $6 million will be used to refurbish the primary runway and realign the taxiway. Previous installments of federal funds have been used for clearing land, extending a runway, building a new taxiway, installing an instrument landing system, and constructing an electrical vault.

As the senior Senator from Missouri and a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Bond secured this award of $6 million and the previous installments for the Springfield-Branson Regional Airport.