A $1.2 million grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has been awarded to help University Park Airport renovate and expand its general aviation terminal.
On May 1, Elizabeth S. Voras, PennDOT deputy secretary for aviation and rail freight, presented a check for $1,255,938 to Robert Finley, assistant senior vice president for finance and business at Penn State, during an 11 a.m. ceremony at the airport.
Voras said the $1.2 million was approved by the governor from the state capital budget for an improved general aviation terminal. The Federal Aviation Administration will contribute $454,670 and the airport will provide $840,520 to the project for a total cost of a little more than $2.5 million.
She said an additional $15,938 in state airport development funds and a $21,250 local contribution will pay to sealcoat taxi way and runway surfaces and to install a new rotating beacon.
"The Centre County area is growing and so is the need for scheduled service and general aviation service here at University Park Airport," Voras said. "In fact, the general aviation terminal here has outlived its usefulness. The planned renovation and expansion of this facility has become necessary so the airport can meet its general aviation demand."
Voras called the grants an "investment in Pennsylvania's transportation system." She said the region realizes a significant economic benefit from the operation of University Park Airport, estimated at more than $68 million a year.
"The state funds provided to this airport are an important investment in air safety, the region's economic vitality and the overall quality of life here," Voras said. Over the past 10 years, University Park Airport has been the recipient of more than $2.6 million in state funds.
University Park Airport experiences more than 55,000 annual operations. United Express, USAir Express and Northwest Airlink offer scheduled daily air service to Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Detroit and Washington, D.C.
University Park is one of 10 airports this year that will share $7 million in capital funds approved by Gov. Tom Ridge. PennDOT's Bureau of Aviation will distribute another $6 million in aviation development grants to 53 airports. For the first time this year, PennDOT will allocate $8 million from a Federal Aviation Administration block grant.