Baldwin Announces More Than $34 Million for Airports Across Wisconsin

WISCONSIN – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) announced over $34 million in federal funding for airports across Wisconsin to make needed safety and operation improvements. Funding to support these upgrades comes from the Baldwin-backed 2024 annual government funding bill.

“Local airports are vital hubs that connect passengers to destinations, goods to markets, and our local communities to economic opportunity,” said Senator Baldwin. “I fight hard to ensure our local airports get the resources they need to increase their capacity, safety, and longevity, so they can continue to support our local economies and serve our communities for years to come.”

“We are grateful to Senator Baldwin for her work in securing infrastructure funding that supports growth and economic development. This latest FAA grant moves us closer to completing our concourse expansion that the travelers of NE Wisconsin need at their hometown airport.  This funding will allow us to expand the existing terminal building by roughly 50,000 feet enabling us to accommodate more passengers and additional aircraft operations,” said Abe Weber, Airport Director, Appleton International Airport.

“On behalf of Central Wisconsin Airport, I extend our deepest gratitude to the FAA and Congress for their continued support and investment in our Federal Contract Tower. These federal funds will enable us to modernize essential equipment, enhancing the safety and efficiency of our operations. This partnership ensures we can continue providing exceptional service to the traveling public and contribute to the economic vitality of our region,” said Brian Grefe, Airport Director, Central Wisconsin Airport.

“We are extremely grateful to Senator Baldwin and all of our federal legislators who support our efforts to improve infrastructure and ensure safe operations at our airport,” said Charity Zich, Airport Director at Chippewa Valley Regional Airport.

“These funds will play a critical role in rehabilitating our aprons and taxiways, ensuring that our airport remains safe, efficient, and ready to serve the needs of our community and all who travel through Madison,” said Kim Jones, Airport Director, Dane County Regional Airport. “This investment will help us maintain our high standards of service and safety, and we thank Senator Tammy Baldwin for her continued support in securing these essential funds."

“The awarding of funds from the FAA Airport Improvement Program are critically important to airports like ours.  The $2,241,000 of AIP funds will allow for a complete rehabilitation of the primary runway at the Sawyer County Airport, which has been experiencing growth in airport operations primarily from larger and heavier business jet traffic,” said Derek Leslie, Airport Manager, Sawyer County Airport.

“The Sawyer County Airport is a tremendous asset to the community, and the AIP award is important and essential to maintain the asset and infrastructure. The runway rehabilitation project will extend the life of the runway surface and improve safety of aircraft operations at the airport.  We thank all those involved for assistance in securing these funds,” said Andy Albarado, Sawyer County Administrator.

The funding for these projects comes from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which provides grants for the planning and development of public-use airports and improvements related to enhancing airport safety, capacity, security, and environmental concerns. Through AIP, the following projects will receive funding:

State of Wisconsin: $14,961,944 in funding for the State of Wisconsin to administer Airport Improvement Program sub-awards for various projects at nonprimary airports within the state.

Sawyer County Airport: $2,241,000 to rehabilitate over 5,000 feet of existing paved runway to maintain the structural integrity and minimize foreign object debris to extend its useful life.

Sheboygan County Memorial International Airport: $1,001,803 to construct a new paved taxiway to bring the airport into conformity with current standards.

Kenosha Regional Airport: $5,553,000 to construct 4,500 feet of existing concrete runway and connectors that have reached the end of their useful lives. The funding will also reconstruct existing runway and taxiway lighting.

Appleton International Airport: $2,945,228 to expand the existing terminal building by nearly 47,000 square feet by funding the construction of 2,523 square feet. The expansion will accommodate more passengers and accommodate more aircraft operations.

Central Wisconsin Airport: $706,022 to fund a portion of the project to reconstruct a sponsor-owned federal contract tower and install pre-existing eligible equipment. The project is also funded by the Baldwin-backed Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Chippewa Valley Regional Airport: $1,000,000 to reconstruct existing taxilanes pavement that has reached the end of its useful life.

Dane County Regional Airport: $5,997,328 to rehabilitate existing paved taxiways and aprons to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement and to extend its useful life.

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