JmstnAirport2Washington (CSi) Senator John Hoeven, who serves on the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, along with Congressman Kevin Cramer have announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration has awarded two grants totaling $166,500 to the Rugby Municipal Airport Authority and the Jamestown Regional Airport Authority.

The funds are awarded as follows:

· Jamestown Regional Airport Authority – $81,000 – To fund a wildlife hazard assessment and plan to identify and mitigate wildlife species that have been observed in the area.

· Rugby Municipal Airport Authority – $85,500 – To fund the design of the full rehabilitation of Runway 12/30’s lighting system, which requires rehabilitation in order to enhance safe airfield operations during low visibility conditions. The funds will also go towards maintaining the structural integrity of the pavement on Runway 12/30, Taxiway A and the apron.

Hoeven says, “It’s important to invest in projects that help to ensure the safety of passengers and pilots in North Dakota’s airports. Today’s grants will support projects aimed at doing just that at Rugby Municipal and Jamestown Regional Airports.”

Meanwhile….

Jamestown Regional Airport is being studied as an additional location for Valley Med Flight air ambulance operations from Grand Forks.

The company is looking at if it should purchase a hangar on airport property. The offered purchase agreement is $210,000.

Jamestown Airport Manager Sam Seafeldt says the business would create jobs in the area, with four FT pilots, four FT air EMTs, one FT helicopter mechanic, two PT air EMT’s.

A decision on the project is expected next month.