Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces $2.3 Million for Two Airports

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration and Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Aeronautics Division have announced today more than $2.3 million in federal funding for municipal airports by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the fourth round of funding through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP). 

Fitchburg Municipal Airport is receiving $1,139,395 for lighting and other infrastructure projects and New Bedford Regional Airport is receiving $1,211,490 for improvements to the airport service road.

“This federal funding will advance projects essential to operational efficiency and safety for our Fitchburg and New Bedford airports,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We are grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration for creating transportation grant opportunities to help us improve and modernize infrastructure in Massachusetts and boost economic growth in our communities.” 

“These grants will help improve our municipal airports which have been a vital hub for travelers in the region and for our local economy,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We look forward to pursuing more federal grant opportunities to further advance our priorities in transportation and infrastructure.”  

“MassDOT is excited to have secured federal funding for infrastructure projects at two of our municipal airports. These sites are important transportation and economic development assets,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “We’re grateful to our municipal partners who worked with MassDOT’s Aeronautics Division to lead to the successful awarding of more than $2.3 million total from this fourth round of the Airport Improvement Program.” 

“We are pleased to support municipalities as they seek federal funding to undertake projects at general aviation airports,” said MassDOT Aeronautics Administrator Jeff DeCarlo. “We look forward to supporting the winning airports as they work to bring these improvement projects to fruition.” 

"Congratulations to officials in Fitchburg and New Bedford on receiving these critical awards and a deep thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration for making possible these funding opportunities,” said Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure Quentin Palfrey. "We will continue to work across secretariats and with municipal officials to pursue our whole-of-government approach to compete for federal dollars.”

STATEMENTS OF SUPPORT

Bill Straus, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation:

“The New Bedford Municipal Airport is a critical regional aeronautics asset for the state. While the Legislature has stepped forward with funding for the new control tower and terminal project, the Healey Driscoll administration is to be commended for pursuing every possible federal dollar for this necessary road work at the airport.”

State Senator John J.  Cronin, representing the communities of Ashby, Clinton, Fitchburg, Groton, Lancaster, Leominster, Lunenburg, Shirley, Townsend, and Westford: 
“The Fitchburg Airport is a unique resource and a significant driver of economic activity in North Central. I'm excited for the impact this funding will have and am grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Department of Transportation for prioritizing the region during this round of grant funding.” 

Fitchburg Mayor Samantha M. Squailia:

“Our Airport Capital Improvement Plan was recently approved, and this funding will allow us to address needs to our critical utility infrastructure, hangar buildings, taxiways and taxi-lanes, and more per our Airport Master Plan. These projects are essential to improving operational efficiency and safety at the Fitchburg Airport and the City of Fitchburg is grateful for this critical infrastructure funding. These upgrades are not just about improving our airport; they’re about investing in the future of our community and ensuring that Fitchburg continues to thrive as a hub for aviation and economic development.” 

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell:

“New Bedford Regional Airport is an economic driver across our region, and the infrastructure upgrade announced today and the new terminal project already underway will expand its positive impact on Greater New Bedford. I am grateful for the continuing support of the Healey-Driscoll Administration.”

About the Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office: 

The Healey-Driscoll administration has committed to aggressively competing for federal funding for Massachusetts. Since Governor Healey took office in January 2023, the administration has secured a total of $6 billion in federal funding, including more than $3 billion in discretionary grants. Last year, the administration won $372 million for the Cape Cod Bridges from the Federal Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant program, which includes the Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight & Highway Projects (INFRA) program and the National Infrastructure Project Assistance (MEGA) program. Last month, the administration was pleased to announce nearly $1 billion had been won for the replacement of the Cape Cod bridges from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Bridge Investment Program. Meanwhile, the Massachusetts Congressional delegation also secured $350 million for the bridges in the Fiscal Year 2024 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act.  

Overall, the administration has been successful in more than $3 billion in discretionary grants for projects that advance priorities in transportation, climate, and economic development, including key transportation awards of $67 million to advance accessibility at MBTA Green Line stations, $335 million to reconnect communities and increase mobility through the Allston I-90 Multimodal Project, $108 million for West-East Rail, $75 million for schools to electrify their bus fleets, $60 million for transit agencies to acquire zero- and low-emission buses, and $24 million to rehabilitate Leonard’s Wharf in New Bedford. 

About MassDOT Aeronautics:

MassDOT’s Aeronautics Division is dedicated to making air transportation safer, cleaner, quieter, more efficient, and more economically advantageous for people, communities, and businesses in Massachusetts. The Division’s responsibilities include regulating and promoting aviation across the Commonwealth and overseeing 35 of the state’s 38 public-use airports and introducing next-generation aviation systems, such as uncrewed aircraft, sensors, and systems to ensure airspace awareness, Advanced Air Mobility infrastructure, and strategies to improve mobility options for the traveling public.

For more information on the Aeronautics Division, please visit: Aeronautics Division | Mass.gov.

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