<p align="JUSTIFY">Governor Earl Ray Tomblin, along with Secretary of Transportation Paul Mattox, this week announced more than $20 million in state and federal grants will be distributed to airports throughout the state. The West Virginia Department of Transportation’s Aeronautics Commission allocated more than $2 million in matching funds.</p> <p align="JUSTIFY">Eighteen public airports were awarded matching funds for airport infrastructure, safety and improvement projects. Federal funds for the projects totaled over $20 million from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program. The federal grants fund 90 percent of the projects with the state providing 10 percent in matching funds.</p> <p align="JUSTIFY">"West Virginia’s airports play a critical role in the economy," Gov. Tomblin said. "They support businesses, manufacturers, and emergency responders, maintaining local jobs and creating economic opportunity. This grant money will help our airports continue to do so."</p> <p align="JUSTIFY">"Airports are vital to the state’s transportation system and to the communities they serve, as well as providing a direct link to the national air transportation system," said Transportation Secretary Paul Mattox, who serves on the Commission. "This critical state and federal funding enables West Virginia to compete globally and provides access for our citizens, businesses and visitors."</p> <p align="JUSTIFY">Locally, Greenbrier Valley Airport will receive State funding in the amount of $20,800 and Federal funding in the amount of $197,600 to construct a taxiway. Contact: Jerry O’Sullivan 304-645-3961.</p>
