On August 28, Representative Sharice Davids announced that the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded $394,310 to Garnett Municipal Airport for runway reconstruction. This funding comes from the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program, which was supported by the bipartisan infrastructure law. Davids, a member of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, was the only Kansas delegate to vote for the law.

Garnett Municipal Airport will use this federal grant to reconstruct 2,653 feet of runway, enhancing structural integrity and reducing foreign object debris. Inconsistent funding over the past decade has delayed upgrades to airspace technology and infrastructure. This award aims to reverse that trend, ensuring American air travel remains among the safest and most efficient globally.

“This initiative is a key component of the plan to upgrade the runway, originally constructed in 1947, to better serve modern aviation needs,” said Pat Schettler, Airport Manager, Garnett Municipal Airport. “The project, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), was made possible with the support of Federal representatives, the KDOT, and local officials. It will enable the airport to support the community with air ambulance services, business aviation, and agricultural spraying.”

The bipartisan infrastructure law, funded through a mix of new revenues and savings, has been recognized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as the most fiscally responsible infrastructure bill in over a decade. Kansas has been allocated more than $3.3 billion from this law, including $87.3 million for airports. The funding supports over 376 projects across the state, such as lead pipe replacement in Olathe, safety initiatives in Kansas City, and upgrades to K-68 in Miami County.