(Washington, DC)  --  U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (R-Concord) today announced that the Ashtabula County Airport Authority has received a $760,000 federal grant to replace runway lighting and signs, construct new hangars and make improvements to unsafe pavement at the airport in Jefferson.

 The grant is through the Federal Aviation Administration within the U.S. Department of Transportation.

 LaTourette said existing airfield lights are over 20 years old and portions of the cable are weathered and have become a major maintenance issue.   In addition, lenses for the light fixtures and panels for the signs are no longer available for replacement.  

 LaTourette said the federal funds will pay for replacement of these items and will also be used on site work for construction of two new ten-unit T-hangars and one new five-unit box hangar.

 “These funds will provide needed hangar space because all existing hangars are full and there is a waiting list for hangar space,” LaTourette said. “This is great news for the county, and this infusion of federal money will certainly help the airport make needed improvements.”

 LaTourette said the funds will also allow the airport authority to repave the apron area near the airport’s nearly 5,200-foot runway.