Tester announces $13.6 million for 19 Montana airports

This was provided by the office of Sen. Jon Tester 

(U.S. Senate) — U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., announced Thursday the U.S. Department of Transportation is providing $13,602,102 in funding for 19 Montana airports, including at Harlem, to expand and repair facilities.

Harlem’s airport is receiving $166,500 to install apron edge lights and/or flood lighting, install runway vertical/visual guidance system, install taxiway lighting and rehabilitate access road.

“Montana is booming, and it’s critical that the Treasure State has up-to-date infrastructure to support our growing economy,” Tester said. “This funding will allow our airports to expand operations and support the increasing demand for reliable, affordable flights in and out of Montana. Improved facilities will pave the way for more flights to the region, allowing Montana to stay connected and support good paying jobs here for years to come.”

The funding awarded by the DOT will be used for a wide variety of facility expansions and repairs.

Tester recently secured an additional $28,610,817 in Federal Aviation Administration Fiscal Year 2022 funding for 69 Montana airports as part of his bipartisan infrastructure package for repairs and upgrades. The funding is a part of approximately $144 million secured by Tester that will be awarded over five years to Montana airports through the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program, which can be used to construct or repair runways and taxiways as well as make terminal and gate improvements.

Tester worked across the aisle for months to negotiate this agreement with a group of five Republicans, four Democrats, and the White House, and he was the only member of Montana’s congressional delegation to vote for it. Tester’s law is projected to create more than 800,000 American jobs and lower costs for businesses by making targeted investments that will strengthen the nation without raising taxes on working families.