Contact: Shana Stribling 202.224.0309 Dan Wadlington 417.889.1800
Monday, August 23, 2004

Springfield, Missouri --The first of two major appropriations for design of a $146 million replacement air terminal for the Springfield-Branson Regional Airport, secured by Southwest Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt and Senator Kit Bond, arrived in Springfield today. The $3 million from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will fund Phase I design services for the new commercial terminal building. Bond and Blunt have also won congressional approval of an additional $4 million for the airport.

Blunt and Bond have been stalwart supporters of the terminal replacement project. Springfield-Branson Regional Airport Spokesperson Sherry Wallace said, "The planning money is essential to the success of the new airport's functional design. The efforts of Senator Bond and Congressman Blunt in moving the terminal building forward are deeply appreciated."

"The best way to guarantee future economic growth is to make sure that our infrastructure is up to par. These dollars for the replacement terminal are an investment in Southwest Missouri's future," said Senator Kit Bond. "This terminal will help Springfield-Branson Regional continue to deliver first-class service to the growing number of locals and tourists who depend on air service in the region."

Blunt added, "Springfield is moving to address its long term commercial flight needs. With a $40 million improvement to the runways and taxiways complete and its parking areas full of planes, Springfield is planning a state-of-the-art facility that will provide greater convenience and more travel options to passengers, and high-tech security to the flying public. Only a new building can meet those all those needs."

The arrival of the $3 million FAA grant prompted the Springfield Airport Board to be called into special session today to accept the grant. The Springfield City Council will meet in special session tomorrow to accept the federal money. Planning for the modern terminal is already underway, with the airport providing an additional $1.5 million toward the total $8.5 million planning costs for the new airport building.