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Airport Grants Program

WSDOT adopts new grant assurances

Airport Aid Grant Application (pdf 279 kb)

Airport Aid Application Checklist (pdf 332 kb)

Your Aviation Dollars at Work

dump truck at airport paving project WSDOT’s Airport Aid Grant Program Focuses on Preservation of Airports

Each year WSDOT’s Airport Aid Grant Program provides crucial financial assistance to many of the state’s 138 public airports. Through its grant program WSDOT Aviation has leveraged millions of dollars in federal grants by using a relatively minimal amount of state and local match contributions. During the second round of 2011-2013 biennium grants, WSDOT awarded $998,809.29 to 23 airports for 29 different projects. WSDOT Aviation was also able to use $875,077 to leverage about $32 million in federal funds, bringing the combined state, local and federal grand total to about $35 million.

Who Can Apply?
Any municipality or federally recognized tribe that owns an airport that is open and available for public use can apply.
 
What are the requirements and what kind of information do I need to provide?

  • Complete Airport Aid Application Checklist (pdf 332 kb)
  • Project should be from the Capital Improvement Plan or in the Airport Layout Plan, and sponsors should provide a copy.
  • Sponsors should provide information that will help WSDOT develop an informational Web page about the project:
    • Why is WSDOT Aviation investing in this project?
    • What will the end result be?
    • What are the benefits of this project? (i.e. will it improve safety or security, benefit the environment, change operations, etc.)
    • What is the project timeline?
    • What public outreach or involvement will be done as part of this project?
    • What will be done to protect the environment?(See the WSDOT Environmental Services Web site for more information.)
    • Will this project impact tribal resources?
    • Number of jobs the project is expected to create
    • Financial details, including a funding breakdown (i.e. What portion of funding is FAA/State/Local/Other)
    • Who can the public contact for more information?


What is the Maximum Amount Available?
The maximum amount WSDOT Aviation can award to an individual sponsor in a single grant is $250,000. WSDOT requires a minimum local match of 5%. Local matches can be in cash or in-kind volunteer labor and materials; however, the airport sponsor will be required under state law to maintain certain records documenting the number of volunteer hours provided, labor value based on prevailing wage rates, cost or value of donated materials, etc.

What Types of Projects are Eligible?
The intent of the WSDOT Airport Aid Grant Program is to provide local agencies with funds to preserve our state system of airports. Airports are critical links to the state transportation network and it is the role of the grant program to fund projects that strengthen Washington’s aviation infrastructure. WSDOT’s Airport Aid Grant Program funds projects in the areas of pavement, safety, maintenance, security, and planning.

When Does WSDOT Award Grants?
WSDOT Aviation typically awards two rounds of grants per biennium. During each round WSDOT announces to airports the appropriate times to submit applications and provides deadline information. Grant applications will be solicited from airport sponsors for the second round of grants of the 2011-2013 biennium in May 2011 with grant awards in July 2011. Grant applications will be solicited in January 2012 with grant awards in June 2012 for the second round of the biennium. Grant applications are available on WSDOT’s Grant Program Web site: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/aviation/Grants/default.htm. WSDOT staff is also available to assist each airport sponsor through the process.

Do You Know About the Airport Information System Database?
As a condition for grant eligibility airport sponsors are required to update their information annually on the Airport Information System database. Airport sponsors must first login to the system in order to view and update information. Airports can request their User ID by emailing aisadmin@wsdot.wa.gov with the following information:

  • Sponsor name, address, phone number and email  

Who Do I Contact for More Information?
Eric Johnson, WSDOT Airport Construction & Grants Program Manager, is available to provide assistance with grants, planning and implementation of airport improvement projects. For more information on WSDOT’s Airport Aid Grant Program, contact Eric Johnson:

Eric Johnson                          
johnsel@wsdot.wa.gov            
(360) 651-6303                     



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