Davids Announces Million Dollar Investment to Modernize Airports, Celebrates Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Impact in Kansas

Today, Representative Sharice Davids announced the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded a total of $1.2 million to three local airports to modernize airport infrastructure, improve runway safety, and create good-paying jobs. The awards stem from DOT’s Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG), which were created by the bipartisan infrastructure law. Davids, a member of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, is the only member of the Kansas delegation to vote for the law.

“Our community is located in the middle of the country, so we are perfectly situated to be a national leader in shipping and logistics, which improves domestic supply chains and lowers costs for Kansas families and businesses,” said Davids. “These new investments for our local airports will open the door for new economic opportunities and enhance the vitality of these communities for generations.”

In the past decade, inconsistent funding has prohibited the timely modernization of airspace technology and infrastructure. The projects announced today will help reverse that trend through runway reconstruction, land acquisition, and the resealing of current airport infrastructure, bringing airports in Gardner, Paola, and Ottawa up to current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards. Specifically, funding is allocated to: 

• Gardner Municipal Airport: $493,830
  • Acquire 0.86 acres of land near runways to bring the airport into conformity with current standards.
• Miami County Airport: $94,309
  • Reseal 9,000 square yards of the existing runway pavement and joints to extend its useful life.
• Ottawa Municipal Airport: $585,000
  • Reconstruct 1,700 feet of the existing paved taxiway pavement that has reached the end of its useful life.

“Miami County officials appreciate the continued partnership and assistance afforded by Representative Sharice Davids to secure federal funding for the Miami County Airport.  In this instance, $94,309 of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds was awarded to the sealcoat project for the runway,” said Shane Krull, Administrator, Miami County. “The project previously received $696,627 of federal funding through the Federal Aviation Administration. The project includes crack sealing, seal coating the asphalt surface, and repainting the runway. Additionally, the apron will receive an asphalt overlay. The project will preserve the runway and apron surfaces, along with ensuring the airport infrastructure remains safe for aircraft.”

The bipartisan infrastructure law, which is paid for through a combination of new revenues and savings, has been called the most fiscally responsible infrastructure bill in at least a decade by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. In all, more than $3.2 billion in federal bipartisan infrastructure law funding has been announced for Kansas, with more than 311 specific projects identified — from lead pipe replacement in Olathe to safety initiatives in KCK to long-overdue upgrades to K-68 in Miami County.