Governor Rendell Announces Nearly $3 Million Investment in 16 Airports

HARRISBURG, Pa., June 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell
today announced the investment of nearly $3 million for 16 airports to improve
safety and facility maintenance.

"Airports are important assets that can attract new business and create jobs,"
Governor Rendell said. "We are making the smart investments necessary to
increase economic vitality and facilitate the more than $12 billion in state
revenue the aviation industry yields each year. By investing in our aviation
assets we can help sustain our communities and retain jobs across
Pennsylvania."

Funding for the grants comes from the state's jet fuel tax and is administered
by PennDOT's Bureau of Aviation. The grants leverage $904,800 in local
matching funds.

Since 2003, Pennsylvania has invested more than $87 million in state funds to
help improve airports around the state. There are nearly 290,000 people
employed in the aviation field statewide, representing approximately 5 percent
of the workforce.

Public-use airports in the state are eligible for the aviation development
program. The state has 134 public-use airports and heliports and 15 airports
have scheduled commercial service.

The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public
education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing
economic investment to support our communities and businesses.To find out more
about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his newsletter, visit:
www.governor.state.pa.us.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Following is a list of grant recipients, the amount of funding,
and a brief description of the projects.

Beaver County

-- Zelienople Municipal Airport -- $22,500 for a Remote Communications
Outlet, which will allow pilots to communicate directly with
Pittsburgh
Air Traffic Control for safer departures.

Bucks County

-- Pennridge Airport -- $225,000 to reimburse the purchase of land
beneath
the approach surface, improving safety.

Butler County

-- Butler Farm Show Airport -- $112,500 for the construction of security
perimeter fencing.

Cambria County

-- Ebensburg Airport -- $30,000 to repair outdated equipment at the fuel
facility.

Centre County
-- Bellefonte Airport -- $750,000 for preparation and construction to
widen
and pave the runway.

-- University Park Airport -- $123,750 for acquisition of a jet refueling
vehicle.

Cumberland County

-- Carlisle Airport -- $183,750 to design and install an upgraded runway
lighting system to improve visibility.

Dauphin County

-- Bendigo Airport -- $135,900 to design and construct an apron for
aircraft parking and a taxiway for aircraft access to and from the
runway.

Lancaster County

-- Smoketown Airport -- $210,000 to design and construct an apron for
aircraft parking and a taxiway for aircraft access to and from the
runway.

Lebanon County

-- Reigle Field -- $37,500 to purchase snow removal and mowing equipment
for airport maintenance.

Lehigh County

-- Lehigh Valley International Airport -- $58,500 to perform maintenance
on
airport pavement.

McKean County

-- Bradford Regional Airport -- $112,500 to acquire 20 acres of land for
future development.

Montgomery County

-- Perkiomen Valley Airport -- $82,500 to continue runway obstruction
removal and improve safety.

Northampton County

-- Braden Airpark -- $127,500 to design and install new runway lights and
a
new electrical vault.

Washington County

-- Finleyville Airport -- $127,500 to develop, design and construct a
hangar, modernize the administration building, and upgrade the fuel
farm's credit card system.

Wyoming County

-- Skyhaven Airport -- $375,000 for airfield and terminal improvements.

CONTACT:
Erin Waters, PennDOT
717-783-8800

Chuck Ardo
717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

Erin Waters of PennDOT, +1-717-783-8800; or Chuck Ardo of the Pennsylvania
Office of the Governor, +1-717-783-1116