Russellville airport lands federal grant

The Russellville Regional Airport is receiving nearly $1.6 million in federal funds, three members of the all-Republican Arkansas congressional delegation announced Friday.

The grant money is from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

“The investment will be used for infrastructure and safety improvement projects, including a runway overlay, which will improve the runway pavement strength, and upgraded runway lighting,” according to a news release announcing the award.

The Federal Aviation Administration will disburse the money.

In the release, U.S. Sen. John Boozman of Rogers and U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton of Dardanelle said the grant would boost safety at the airport.

U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, who also lives in Rogers, called the airport “a vital transportation center.”

Russellville Regional Airport Director Keith Frazier said rehabilitating the runway will make it “safer and stronger.”

He also portrayed it as good for the environment and for area residents.

“The upgrade of the lighting system to LED lights will provide an energy savings to the city and ultimately the taxpayer. This entire project of over $1.5 million dollars will be at zero tax cost to the taxpayers of Russellville,” he said. Planning to visit the nation’s capital? Know something happening in Washington, D.C.? Please contact Frank Lockwood at (202) 662-7690 or flockwood@ arkansasonline.com. Want the latest from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s Washington bureau? It’s available on Twitter, @ LockwoodFrank.