Montana Aeronautics Board to weigh airport grants at Helena meeting

The Montana Department of Transportation will host the Montana Aeronautics Board at its Helena headquarters Jan. 28-29 to review grant and loan applications and take public comment before final award determinations are made. The meeting begins at 10 a.m. on Jan. 28 and resumes at 8 a.m. on Jan. 29 in the East and West Auditorium at MDT Headquarters, 2701 Prospect Ave.

Funding for the Aeronautics Board program comes from a $0.045 per gallon tax on fuel sold to commercial and general aviation aircraft in Montana. Most awards are used to leverage Federal Aviation Administration matching dollars for larger airport construction projects, a funding structure that can multiply local investment in infrastructure and safety improvements.

Many public airports across the state are eligible to apply for assistance through MDT’s loan and grant program. Funds may be spent on a wide spectrum of aviation needs, including lighting enhancements, runway, taxiway and apron reconstruction, land easements, perimeter fencing, weather reporting equipment, and snow removal equipment. Applications are due on Nov. 15 each year, with awarded funding generally available for distribution in July of the following fiscal year.

For Lewis and Clark County residents, the board’s decisions will influence which local airports can move forward with maintenance and capital projects in the coming construction season. Projects that win state support and FAA matching funds may accelerate improvements to airfield surfaces, lighting and winter operations equipment that affect flight safety, emergency response access and the reliability of regional air service during winter storms.

Members of the public are invited to attend and make comments during the meeting prior to final award determinations. Any person with a disability needing a reasonable accommodation to participate or an alternative accessible format of this notice should contact MDT’s ADA Coordinator Matt Maze at 406-444-5416 or mmaze@mt.gov, or use Montana Relay Service at 711. Requests for an accommodation to participate should be made by Wednesday, January 21.

For more information on the meeting, eligible projects, or application timing, contact Karen Hallenbeck, MDT Aeronautics Division, at khallenbeck@mt.gov or 406-444-9581, or consult MDT’s aviation web pages. The board’s decisions later this month will shape which runway repairs, lighting upgrades and winter preparedness projects begin across the county and state in the next funding cycle.