Fishers Island Airport Receives $113K In Federal Funding

FISHERS ISLAND, NY — The Elizabeth Field Airport on Shelter Island will receive federal funding as part of the Federal Aviation Administrations's airport infrastructure grant program, Rep. Nick LaLota said this week.

The AIG program, he said, is funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Through the AIG program, Francis S. Gabreski will receive $294,000 and Elizabeth Field would receive $113,000 in federal funding.

"The more federal funding coming to Long Island, the better. Long Islanders have notoriously paid more in taxes to Washington than we get back. It is important we see an appropriate return in the form of infrastructure improvements,” said LaLota. "As Congress continues to work to fund the federal government, rest assured I will continue to fight to ensure we receive our fair share. Putting Long Island First will always be my guiding light, and I will keep working to support our communities".

in addition, Westhampton's Francis S. Gabreski Airport is among more than 100 across the country receiving a combined $970 million in federal funding to make terminal improvements, the Transportation Department said Thursday.

The $4.9 million grant to the airport in Westhampton "partially funds the construction of a new airport traffic control tower to replace the existing 1940s tower, which has exceeded its useful life and does not meet current standards," according to the Transportation Department.

The airport terminal funding, provided under bipartisan infrastructure legislation passed in late 2021, will be distributed to 114 airports in 44 states and three territories for terminal projects that improve passenger experience, lower the cost of travel and create competitive jobs.

Projects vary from those creating new baggage systems to enlarging security checkpoints to expanding gate capacity, and modernizing terminals and ground transportation, according to the announcement by the Transportation Department.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the improvements “will make it easier for passengers to get to and through airports, create jobs, and increase safety for all.”

The awards are on top of the nearly $2 billion for airport terminals announced by the Transportation Department over the past two years. Most of those terminal projects are under construction.

The funding comes from the Airport Terminal Program, one of three aviation programs created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

"Investing in our aging infrastructure, like the air traffic control tower at Gabreski Airport, ensures the safety and efficiency of air travel, while also contributing to the growth and prosperity of our communities," said Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine. "Thanks to Congressman LaLota’s dedication to advancing crucial projects in our region, we will now have the funds to upgrade this outdated tower allowing it to line up with current safety standards."

The AIG program funds airport infrastructure projects such as runways, taxiways, airport signage, airport lighting, and airport markings. Airports are entitled to a certain amount of AIP funding each year, based on passenger volume. If their capital project needs exceed their available entitlement funds, then the FAA can supplement their entitlements with discretionary funding, LaLota said.

The Airport Terminals Program provides competitive grants for terminal development projects that address the aging air infrastructure at large-hub, medium-hub, and non-hub or non-primary airports. The grants will fund airport terminals, on-airport rail access projects, and airport-owned airport traffic control towers. Projects may also include multimodal development, LaLota added.