WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) have announced that Montgomery County has been awarded a $5,477,702 Federal Aviation Administration grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to rehabilitate Montgomery County Airpark (GAI). The grant – which will fund the first of a two phase construction effort – will allow county authorities to fully restore more than 2,500 feet of pavement critical to airport operations.

“With this federal grant, airport officials will rehabilitate crumbling infrastructure and build a better, more efficient airport for the people and businesses of Montgomery County,” said Senator Cardin, a senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Transportation Subcommittee. “Maryland’s regional airports are vital economic engines and critical assets for both inter and intrastate commerce – and Montgomery County’s growing economy is proof. I’m pleased to know these federal funds will be well-spent supporting state and local industry.”

“Our regional airports play a key role in maintaining Maryland’s robust economy,” said Senator Mikulski, Vice Chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, which funds DOT. “These funds in the federal checkbook mean improvements to the Montgomery County Airpark infrastructure that are critical to keeping Maryland’s economy moving and Marylanders on the go.”

Montgomery County Airpark is a public reliever airport just outside Gaithersburg, Maryland. It serves as home to the Washington International Flight Academy, and its 4,200 foot runway makes it the closest jetport to Washington, D.C.

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