Montana Aeronautics Board Funds Projects for FY 2021

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT)’s Aeronautics Board approved over $3.6 million in funding requests from thirty-five public-use airports during their Helena meeting on January 16, 2020.  The requests were for a variety of improvement projects that focused on lighting enhancements, runway, taxiway and apron reconstruction projects, land easements, perimeter fencing, building construction, and snow removal equipment.

Funding for this program is provided by a $0.045 / gallon tax on fuel sold to commercial and general aviation aircraft in Montana, which was increased during the 2019 Legislative session with the passing of HB661. Most of the money awarded in grants and loans each year goes to leverage 90/10 Federal (FAA) match dollars for large airport construction projects. Over $4.8 million in local match money was requested.

Any public airport is eligible to apply for assistance through the loan and grant program. Funds can be used for a wide variety of airport and aviation related projects. Applications for the funding are due for submission to MDT�s Aeronautics Division on November 15 each year, and the money is typically awarded in January of the following year.               

Although the money is awarded in January, the funds are not available until the beginning of the next fiscal year – July 1. During their meeting, the Montana Aeronautics Board reviews the applications and takes public comment before making their final award determinations for the upcoming fiscal year.

For more information regarding the program, please contact Wade Cebulski, MDT Aeronautics Division, at wcebulski@mt.gov or call (406) 444-9581.

The projects funded for FY 2021 are as follows:

AIRPORT                                                    GRANT AMOUNT         LOAN AMOUNT

Anaconda – Const. Apron & Beacon              $149,500                           $7,500

Big Sandy – PVMT Rehab                                $16,445                             $0

Bridger – PVMT Rehab                                     $15,000                             $0

Butte – PVMT Rehab                                         $81,775                             $10,225

Chester – PVMT Rehab                                     $21,000                            $0

Choteau – Snow Removal Equip                   $30,000                            $0

Colstrip – PVMT Rehab                                    $23,180                          $0

Columbus – Land Easement                           $8,889                               $8,888

Cut Bank – PVMT Rehab                                     $44,542                          $0

Ennis – PVMT Rehab/Lighting                        $287,682                        $0

Construct & Extend Twy/Install Fence Update Master plan/WXReporting/Beacons

Forsyth – PVMT Rehab                                  $23,920                       $0

Fort Benton – PVMT Rehab                           $23,000                        $0

Glasgow – PVMT Rehab/Lighting/              $18,500                        $12,500

Construct Twy

Great Falls – Const. Deicing Fac./                      $17,500                       $89,332

Rehab Access Rd

Hamilton – PVMT Rehab/Lighting/              $482,000                   $18,000

Const. Twy&Rwy/Expand Apron

Havre – PVMT Rehab                                        $38,000                     $2,000

Hot Springs – PVMT Rehab                            $173,200                  $0

Kalispell City – Lighting & Fencing               $236,712                   $21,250

Laurel – PVMT Rehab                                    $37,350                      $0

Lewistown – PVMT Rehab                              $77,777                      $0

Libby – Snow Removal Equip                         $15,000                      $0

Malta – PVMT Rehab/Lighting                      $53,400                       $0

Miles City – Const. Rwy & Twy/Beacon    $263,930                    $35,000

PVMT Rehab & Building Improvement

Philipsburg – Master Plan                           $17,500                       $0

Polson – PVMT Rehab                                      $8,100                        $0

Poplar – PVMT Rehab/WX Reporting        $53,300                       $0

Red Lodge – PVMT Rehab                               $20,000                       $0

Ronan – PVMT Rehab/Master Plan             $12,452                       $0

Sidney – Const. Twy/PVMT Rehab              $106,675                   $106,675

St Ignatius – PVMT Rehab                              $77,399                      $0

Stanford – PVMT Rehab/Const. Twy          $225,030                    $17,030

Stevensville- PVMT Rehab/Const.              $209,188                  $21,600

Twy, Rehab Access, Rd/Construct Bldg.

Three Forks – PVMT Rehab                              $189,126                             $0

Turner – PVMT Rehab/Const. Twy                 $242,928                            $0

TOTALS                                                               $ 3,300,000                   $ 350,000