The grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation was announced Thursday by Democratic Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester. Part of the money, $2.7 million, had been announced last week by Republican Rep. Denny Rehberg, and airport director Cris Jensen said the larger number just represents the “full dollar value of the projects for the upcoming summer.”
“Part of it was discretionary money and part is our entitlement, so this just represents the entire grant,” Jensen said Thursday.
“That's really been a backup spot for us,” Jensen said. “This will make things move much more smoothly there, and that's a place where people will notice the change.”
Jensen said the screening machine, which will arrive in July, and the runway and drainage work are just signs that Missoula has the fastest-growing airport in the state.
“We continue to see rapid growth as Missoula expands, and this gives more tools for handling that growth,” Jensen said of an airport that sees about 500,000 passengers a year.
That was the message passed on Thursday by the senators, as well.
“Missoula is booming, and this improved runway is just one more tool to help out folks in the Garden City,” Baucus said in a press statement. “From students going home for the holidays, to business folks taking advantage of all that Montana has to offer, these dollars are vital to helping make Missoula an even better place to live, work and raise a family.”
Said Tester: “An improved runway, along with their brand-new terminal - it's clear that the folks at the Missoula airport are working to make a top-notch facility even better and in the process improving the economy of western Montana.”
Reporter Michael Moore can be reached at 523-5252 or at mmoore@missoulian.com
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