Money will fund ongoing construction of new airport passenger terminal; improve existing facilities

Washington, DC - Augusta Congressman John Barrow (12^th District) announced today that Augusta Regional Airport has been awarded $4,186,443 in federal grants from the Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration.  The funding, most of which was requested by Congressman Barrow, will help cover ongoing construction costs for the airport's new passenger terminal and improve the airport's existing facilities. 

The new terminal, scheduled for completion in 2007, will be built on the site of the airport's current passenger terminal.  

"Once completed, the new passenger terminal will be an exciting gateway for the City of Augusta and the entire region," Barrow said.  "Upgrading the airport facilities will help lure new businesses to the area and new airlines to the airport.  That's why I'm doing everything I can to make sure this project has the funding it needs."  

In November, Barrow's request for $2,500,000 for the Augusta Airport was included in the Conference Report on the Transportation, Treasury, HUD, Judiciary, and District of Columbia Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2006.  That bill passed the House by an overwhelming vote of 392-31 and was later signed into law by President Bush. 

Congressman Barrow, who last fall toured the airport's terminal construction project, was recently named as the newest member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.  That committee has direct jurisdiction over America's aviation infrastructure and the nation's airports. 

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Contact: Harper Lawson, (202) 225-2823

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