ELLY GRIMM
• Leader & Times
With Kansas being the Air Capitol of the World, the state’s airport facilities must be kept in good condition for those who travel by plane. Recently, some money became available to help with just that.
Wednesday, Gov. Laura Kelly announced 11 Kansas communities have secured more than $4.2 million in federal Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act (IIJA) funding from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) program.
“Combined with more than $212,000 in matching funds from the Kansas Infrastructure Hub and Build Kansas Fund (BKF), and more than $12,000 in local contributions, the total investment in Kansas for this round of airport infrastructure grants is more than $4.5 million,” Gov. Kelly noted in a release from the State of Kansas. “Investing in our airports is crucial for enhancing connectivity and supporting local economies. I’m pleased that these projects are receiving vital infrastructure grants, which will not only improve our airports but also strengthen the entire state’s transportation network.”
The Kansas Infrastructure Hub connects multiple state agencies and serves as a resource center for Kansas communities to identify best practices for maximizing IIJA funding opportunities. The BKF provides state matching dollars for projects throughout Kansas that successfully apply and are awarded federal grants under IIJA.
“Airports serve as access points for air ambulances, agriculture and firefighting aerial applicators, businesses, flight training, and pleasure flying,” Ray Seif, Director of Aviation at the Kansas Department of Transportation, noted in the State of Kansas release. “These infrastructure investments improve safety, access, and economic appeal for these communities and across the region. Since 2024, the BKF’s $51.7 million state investment has provided the required match dollars for 110 federal grant awards of nearly $169 million across Kansas. That means every $1 of BKF investment returned more than $3 of federal investment.”
Currently, the Kansas Infrastructure Hub has 29 applications pending a federal decision. Those pending projects have the capacity to bring an additional $177 million back to the state.
“The Build Kansas Fund match made the new and upgraded lighting system possible for Hill City. With a small city budget, we simply would not have been able to take on this project without the additional funding provided through the BKF match,” Conner Larson, Hill City Airport Manager, noted in the State of Kansas release. “The upgraded lighting will make the airport safer and more reliable for the people who use it. The airport is an important part of this community, and we are very thankful for the support that made these much-needed improvements and upgrades possible.”
The Kansas airport projects receiving funding are:
• City of Liberal – Expand Terminal Area Parking Lot
Total Project - $596,842
• City of Atchison – Rehabilitation & Reconstruction of Aprons, Hangars & Taxilanes
Total Project - $275,001
• Rooks County – Construct Taxilane Extension & Hangars
Total Project - $59,604
• City of Hill City – HLC Runway 18-36 Electrical & Obstruction Grading
Total Project - $466,316
• Grant County – Ulysses Airport
Total Project - $512,166
• Coffey County Airport – Replace/Relocate AWOS III – P/T System
Total Project - $345,523
• Wichita Airport – Taxilane A2 Relocation
Total Project - $642,245
• City of Chanute – Rehabilitate Runway 18-36
Total Project - $508,417
• City of Eureka – Apron Reconstruction
Total Project - $114,737
• City of Colby – Hangar Construction
Total Project - $559,720
• Allen County – Parallel Taxiway Paving
Total Project - $434,493
