Airports to Receive Stimulus Money

Contributing Editor Carl Unger believes that every trip is worth taking. He loves an extended trip to Europe as much as he enjoys exploring the towns and landscape near home. Basically, you'll find him wherever there is good food, fresh air, and plenty of stories to bring home.

Carl has been writing for SmarterTravel since 2005. His travel writing has also appeared on USA Today and the About.com Boston travel guide.

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The FAA released a list of airports receiving grants as part of the stimulus deal (hat tip to the Middle Seat Terminal for the link). The list shows about how much money airports will receive and how they plan to spend the grant. Most of the money is allocated (.pdf) for runway and taxiway construction or improvements.

While there are plenty of major airports on the list, there are also notable absences, including all New York City-area airports, San Francisco, Detroit, and Atlanta Hartsfield. The biggest grant was awarded to Spokane International in the form of $18 million to rehabilitate the runway and apron (where planes park, load/unload, refuel, etc). The smallest grant, $144,100, went to East Texas Regional Airport in Longview, Texas, to rehabilitate the taxiway.

Did your local airport receive any of the stimulus money? Do you think this is money well-spent? Leave a comment below with your thoughts and observations.

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