FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 31, 2001


SCHUMER ANNOUNCES OVER $2.7 MILLION FOR SOUTHERN TIER AIRPORTS

Airports in Ithaca, Olean, Elmira, Endicott, Binghamton and Oneonta Will All Receive Federal Money For Improvements

US Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that the US Department of Transportation has awarded $2,711,900 in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grants to airports throughout the Southern Tier. The money will be used for a series of improvements, ranging from equipment purchases to runway repairs to terminal rehabilitation.

"Affordable and accessible air service is a critical engine of continued economic growth throughout the Southern Tier," said Schumer. "This funding will allow area airports to make needed improvements that will help them meet the challenge of increased demand and continue to attract new carriers to the region."

Six Southern Tier airports will receive federal money under today's award:

1. Tompkins County will receive $1,310,114 for improvements to Tompkins County Airport. The money will be used to expand and improve the airport's aprons, purchase a runway friction meter, plan the extension of the airport's parallel taxiway, purchase a regional jet boarding bridge and remove runway obstructions.
2. The City of Olean will receive $150,000 to install new runway lights and rehabilitate the parallel taxiway at Cattaraugus County-Olean Airport.
3. The County of Chemung will receive $90,000 to rehabilitate the circulatory road at Elmira- Corning Regional Airport.
4. The Village of Endicott will receive $54,000 to perform an environmental assessment to address obstructions and environmental concerns at Tri-Cities Airport.
5. Broome County will receive $957,786 to construct a snow removal equipment building at Binghamton Regional Airport.
6. The City of Oneonta will receive $150,000 to install an automated weather observation system to improve safety for air traffic at Oneonta Municipal Airport.

The grants were approved under the Federal Aviation Administration Airport Improvement Program.

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