Concord Ledger

(Washington, DC) - On April 24, 2023, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) -- negotiators of the bipartisan infrastructure law -- and Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) announced more than $1.8 million in grants from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the bipartisan infrastructure law.

The funding will specifically be allocated through the Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) program. These funds are designated to support and modernize airports in the New Hampshire State Block Grant Program. Airports in Concord, Merrimack and Lebanon will all benefit from the grants.

“As we celebrate another round of federal grants coming to New Hampshire through the bipartisan infrastructure law, it’s important to take note on how this historic law is continuing to make a difference in Granite State communities,” said Senator Shaheen, a lead negotiator of the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act. “These grants will help to restore airports in Concord, Lebanon and Merrimack, which is an important way to better support our small businesses, local economy and tourism. It’s exciting to see these federal resources in action in our communities, which reaffirms the long-lasting impact that this historic bill will have on New Hampshire.”

“Investing in New Hampshire’s airports is key to strengthening our economy, and I am glad to see federal funding that we secured going to Lebanon Municipal Airport and Parlin Field Airport,” said Senator Hassan. “This funding will help these airports better serve their communities, from small business needs to emergency response. I worked to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to boost New Hampshire’s economy with investments such as these, and I look forward to seeing more.”

“When we invest in the safety, resiliency, and security of New Hampshire’s airports, our entire state feels the benefits,” said Congresswoman Annie Kuster. “I am thrilled to see significant grants heading to New Hampshire to improve and modernize our air travel infrastructure. These funds will help bring in new opportunities and business and I look forward to the completion of these projects.”

“New Hampshire’s airports are critical economic engines that support our tourism industry and small businesses, employ thousands of Granite Staters, and allow Granite Staters to travel safely,” said Congressman Chris Pappas. “I’m pleased to see this funding from the bipartisan infrastructure law coming to New Hampshire to help upgrade our airports, and I’ll continue working to bring federal resources to our state to modernize our infrastructure and boost our local economy.”

More information on the grants can be found here and here.

Shaheen and Hassan were lead negotiators of the IIJA. The bipartisan infrastructure law provides a $550 billion investment in our nation’s core infrastructure priorities – including roads and bridges, rail, transit, ports, airports, the electric grid, water systems and broadband. In June 2021, Shaheen joined President Biden and a bipartisan group of senators to announce the framework of the package.  As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Shaheen historically works to include funding for programs that support New Hampshire’s airports. Earlier this year, the congressional delegation welcomed $7 million for Portsmouth International Airport at Pease to support a terminal arrivals area expansion project, and a $2.8 million award for Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) to support modifications and rehabilitation efforts for the terminal building. 

Original source can be found here.