Northwest Florida airports receive $2.6 million in grant money

PENSACOLA — Airports in Okaloosa and Escambia counties will receive $2,618,796 in federal grant money from the United States Department of Transportation, Congressman Matt Gaetz announced.

The money will go toward airport improvements, including taxiway and apron improvements in Okaloosa County, and demolition work for a commerce park in Pensacola.

The Eglin Air Force Base/Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport will receive $2,107,000 to rehabilitate a combined 2,000 feet of taxiway.

The Bob Sikes Airport in Crestview will receive $270,000 to fund designs for rehabilitating 38,000 square yards of existing apron.

The Destin Executive Airport will receive $198,000 to prepare for rehabilitating 65,000 square yards of existing apron.

The Pensacola International Airport will receive $43,796 to fund removal of structural obstructions on land acquired for further airport development.

“It is critical to invest in our airports. Maintaining and upgrading airport infrastructure, while giving them room to grow and expand, will help our airports better meet the needs of travelers,” Gaetz said.

“Northwest Florida has always been a popular destination for tourism, business and governmental travel. The $2.6 million in grants from the Department of Transportation will allow Northwest Florida’s popularity as a travel destination to continue to grow, now and in the years to come.”

The grant money is expected to be disbursed before September.

Original article derived from CrestviewBulletin.