The award of $20.7 million for strategic infrastructure enhancements at 24 public-use airports across New York was recently announced. This State funding will enhance safety, facilitate innovation, leverage existing resources, advance business development, and promote sustainability and resilience at these facilities.
“Local and regional airports are the gateway to communities across New York State, attracting tourists and business from around the world,” Governor Hochul said. “These investments will continue to transform New York’s airports into world-class facilities that will further boost economic development and growth.”
Administered by the New York State Department of Transportation, projects funded through the Aviation Capital Investment Program include the construction of new security and access control improvements, deployment of new automated weather monitoring systems, and the construction and rehabilitation of new and existing hangars and aircraft refueling facilities. These investments will serve to make the surrounding communities more economically competitive with neighboring states.
“New York continues to make targeted investments in all transportation infrastructure that will enhance safety; strengthen communities; and create and sustain new and existing, well-paying jobs,” New York State Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said. “These aviation grants specifically support projects that will serve to make our local communities more economically competitive – regionally and globally.”
“With this funding, New York is taking further steps to enhance our airports, which are vital to continuing to attract businesses, tourists, and new residents, contributing to the overall economic success of the state,” said Senator Tim Kennedy, Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. “I thank Governor Hochul for prioritizing these investments and look forward to seeing these essential projects move forward.”
“Renovating local airports allows our cities to continue to be a driver in economic development by drawing tourists, out of town businesses and facilitating travel plans,” said Assemblyman William Magnarelli, Chair of the Assembly Transportation Committee. “These funds will provide a boost for the airports to meet the ever-improving infrastructure, technology, security and safety standards.”
Funding from the 2021 Aviation Capital Investment Program was awarded to the following projects:
CAPITAL DISTRICT – $1.6 million  Â
$1.0 million toward construction of a solar electric generation system; construction of an upgraded septic system; and construction of a new facility to support equipment necessary to maintain operations during inclement weather events at South Albany Airport in Albany County.
$0.6 million toward the acquisition of service equipment to maintain operations during inclement weather events at the Saratoga County Airport.
CENTRAL NEW YORK – $2.4 million
$1.3 million toward the safe removal/disposal of the existing aged fueling facility and construction of a new state-of the-art environmentally friendly refueling facility at the Hamilton Municipal Airport in Madison County.
$1.1 million toward the replacement and relocation of existing underground fuel storage tanks, located over a single-source aquifer, with above-ground fuel spill containment tanks at the Chase Field Airport in Cortland County.
FINGER LAKES – $2.9 millionÂ
$0.6 million toward construction of a solar electric generation system and other sustainability improvements at the Williamson-Sodus Airport in Wayne County.
$0.4 million toward the acquisition of service equipment to maintain operations during inclement weather events at the Genesee County Airport.
$0.4 million toward the purchase of refueling trucks at the Penn Yan Airport in Yates County.
$0.6 million toward construction of a new above-ground spill containment fuel farm at the Perry Warsaw Airport in Wyoming County.
$0.9 million to enhance airport access and the reconfiguration of perimeter security fencing/gates at the Canandaigua Airport in Ontario County.
LONG ISLAND – $0.3 million
$0.3 million toward the purchase and installation of a back-up generator to support airport operations and enhancements to the Hangar 1 fire suppression system at MacArthur Airport in Suffolk County.
MID-HUDSON – $2.9 million
$1.5 million toward construction of a new central aircraft deicing ramp, part of the new U.S. Customs and Border Protection Facility, at the Westchester County Airport
$1.4 million to construct operational support buildings to maintain operations at the Hudson Valley Regional Airport in Dutchess County.
MOHAWK VALLEY – $0.9 million
$0.9 million toward the relocation and modernization of the automated weather observing system required to maintain airport operations at the Albert S. Nader Regional Airport in Otsego County.
NORTH COUNTRY $5.2 million
$0.9 million toward the rehabilitation of an existing airport facility for New York State Police and New York State Power Authority operations at the Massena International Airport in St. Lawrence County.
$1.4 million toward construction of a new hangar at the Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport in Warren County.
$0.5 million to deploy new security technologies, including new gates, access control and security camera systems, and parking area improvements at the Potsdam Municipal Airport in St. Lawrence County.
$1.5 million toward the safe removal/disposal of the existing aged fueling facility and construction of a new state-of the-art above ground refueling facility at the Watertown International Airport in Jefferson County.
$0.9 million toward the purchase of emergency backup generators; enhancements to security, access and communications systems; and safety related equipment at the Ogdensburg International Airport in St. Lawrence County.
SOUTHERN TIER – $3.1 millionÂ
$1.5 million toward installation of energy efficient lighting and replacement of the revenue control system at the Greater Binghamton Airport in Broome County.
$0.2 million toward energy efficiency Jet Hangar improvements, including high-efficiency heating and LED lighting and general hangar rehabilitation activities at the Lt. Warren E. Eaton Airport in Chenango County.
$0.1 million toward the acquisition of service equipment to maintain operations during inclement weather events at the Corning-Painted Post Airport in Steuben County.
$1.3 million toward reconstruction of an existing building into a U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility to retain international passenger flights at the Elmira Corning Regional Airport in Chemung County.
WESTERN NEW YORK – $1.5 million
$0.2 million toward the acquisition of service and other airport-related equipment at the Wellsville Municipal Airport in Allegany County.
$1.3 million toward the purchase and installation of emergency back-up generators to support airport operations at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport in Erie County.
Funding was awarded to projects through a competitive solicitation process and evaluated based on established criteria including economic benefit, operational efficiencies, safety enhancements, and the potential for attracting new or expanded aeronautical related activities. The selection criteria also prioritized projects that were cost-effective and contributed to greenhouse gas emission reductions. The New York State Department of Transportation is committed to working with local project sponsors to expedite the delivery of these improvements.
