Washington D.C. – U.S. Representative Charlie Melancon (D-LA) announced today that the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration awarded a federal grant of $2,000,000 toward the improvement and continuation of runway extensions at South Lafourche Leonard Miller Jr. Airport. This additional funding will supplement a previously awarded $2.6 million federal grant, supporting the actual costs of completing the project.  In total, the $4,611,240 in grant funding will allow for the continuation of a parallel taxi runway and meet current Federal Aviation Administration standards.

"This grant is an investment in south Louisiana's infrastructure and will increase the safety and capability of the South Lafourche Airport" said Rep. Melancon. "I will continue to support improvement projects in the Third District that will attract good jobs and grow our economy."

Ted Falgout, Executive Director of the Greater Lafourche Port Commission, said "This much needed funding comes at a time when this airport is playing a key role of assistance in the recovery of this country's most significant source of domestic energy, the offshore Gulf of Mexico. The project that this funding will enable to be constructed, will bring an added level of safety to this rapidly growing airport and help facilitate access to Port Fourchon, this country's most significant energy support base."

"We applaud the efforts of our Congressional Delegation and the FAA in their commitment to facilitate this critical expansion."

Rep. Melancon has been a strong supporter of federal funds for the Greater Lafourche Port Commission's multi-stage project to improve the airport's runway and bring the airport up to current FAA standards.

In Phase I, which has already been completed, the runaway was extended by 1200 feet and widened by 25 feet. Phase II, which was completed last year, installed lighting on the extension. This year, Phase III strengthened the runway and aircraft parking apron to accommodate wheel loads up to 70,000 pounds. The Port Commission also constructed an Instrument Landing System, Approach Lighting System, Safety Area Improvements, and full parallel taxiway.

The grant announced today will fund the fourth and final phase of the project, which will further extend the parallel taxiway and allow for partial paving and lighting.

The expansion project was initiated by the Greater Lafourche Port Commission after companies in the region identified the need for adequate air services in close proximity to Port Fourchon and Galliano in order to transport specialized equipment in "just-in-time" fashion. Enhancing the runway will also help the public in the event of a natural disaster or national crisis.