Members Of N.M. Delegation Announce Almost $18 Million In Airport Infrastructure Grants For New Mexico

Statement

U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) and Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) announced New Mexico airports have been allocated almost $18 million in federal Airport Infrastructure Grants under the recently enacted Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The money can be invested in runways, taxiways, safety and sustainability projects, as well as terminal, airport-transit connections, and roadway projects.

Heinrich, Luján, Stansbury, and Leger Fernández fought for these historic airport investments in the recent infrastructure package, as well as monumental relief funding in the American Rescue Plan that have allowed New Mexico airports to survive the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Local airports connect communities all across New Mexico to tourism, business opportunities, and commercial aviation,"said Heinrich. "Democrats in the New Mexico delegation fought hard for these historic investments in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that will modernize our airports and allow them to better serve travelers, health care providers, and businesses all across our state."

"New Mexico's 46 airports are key economic drivers for our state," said Luján. "That's why I was honored to help shape the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to ensure our state's airports received the necessary funding to make these long overdue upgrades. As tourism and travel continue to grow, I'm honored to join my colleagues in announcing this first round of funding that will serve New Mexicans well."

"Communities from Albuquerque to Moriarty rely on airport infrastructure to sustain local economies and keep our state humming, which is why I was proud to vote for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This grant will deliver new good-paying jobs for New Mexicans while making needed renovations to the Sunport and airports across the state," said Stansbury."By modernizing our airports and making them more sustainable, the infrastructure law supports New Mexico's tourism industries and facilitates smoother and safer travels."

"Our airports connect communities across the state, especially those in rural areas. We fought and voted for this historic investment in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law because we knew the impact of this funding for New Mexico," said Leger Fernández. "This $18 million will improve runways, taxiways, and other projects to revitalize New Mexico airports, grow our economy, and create good-paying jobs."