Santa Fe Regional Airport gets big chunk of $21 million in FAA grants for New Mexico airports

New Mexico’s congressional delegation has announced airports throughout the state will be receiving more than $21 million in federal funds for upgrades or repairs, approximately $4.5 million of which will be funneled to Santa Fe Regional Airport.
The funding was announced in a Friday news release from the offices of Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján and Reps. Teresa Leger Fernández, Melanie Stansbury and Gabe Vasquez. The money is being directed through the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Infrastructure Grant Program and the Airport Improvement Program.
The Santa Fe airport received three grants. One is for nearly $3 million and another is for more than $1.5 million, and both will be devoted to the second phase of reconstruction of pavement of the airport’s north apron. A third grant for more than $165,000 will fund design work for the reconstruction of existing equipment that controls the airport’s lights system.
In a statement, Luján noted the money will fund more than two dozen projects at airports ranging from the Navajo Nation to Hobbs.
“This investment will help improve safety, support local jobs, and ensure our airports are better equipped to serve New Mexicans and everyone who visits the Land of Enchantment," Luján said.
Leger Fernández said the grants would help repair and upgrade runways, lighting and safety equipment.
“These investments pave the path for all of New Mexico to become a travel hub whether it’s at Crownpoint, Hobbs, Lovington, Springer, Santa Fe, Zuni, Artesia, Portales, Taos, Clayton, Roswell or Las Vegas — these airports keep us connected to each other,” she said.