Oswego County Airport Receives FAA Grants

OSWEGO COUNTY – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and U.S Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced this week that the Oswego County Airport will receive $119,810 in federal funds through the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airport Improvement Program.

“This is great news that the Oswego County Airport was among those chosen to receive funding from the FAA,” said Oswego County Legislator Stephen M. Walpole, District 14, chairman of the Legislature’s Infrastructure, Facilities and Technology Committee. “These monies will help us upgrade snow removal equipment at the airport, specifically a 22-year-old pick-up plow truck that has outlived its usefulness. A new truck will help keep Oswego County ready to welcome business leaders, visitors and other air traffic from outside the region at any time of the year.”

The federal grant covers 95% of the cost of a new pick-up plow truck with a dump box, along with a snowplow blade attachment, with a 5% share ($6,306) split between New York State and Oswego County.

“Our current truck served us well for many years; but it’s now 22 years old and in bad shape,” said Oswego County Airport Manager Brandon Schwerdt. “It costs a lot of money to maintain yet is still largely unreliable. It also lacks many safety features which are now standard on newer models.

“Getting a new truck will help us considerably,” he added. “Not only in reducing repair costs and limiting downtime, but simply being better equipped to maintain the airfield throughout the year is crucial for enhancing site safety for staff, visitors and other equipment.”

The recent announcement of the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program consists of $63.7 million to upgrade facilities and equipment at airports across the state. The program is funded through fees on commercial aviation operations, including taxes on airplane tickets and fuel used by general aviation aircraft.

This FAA grant application was submitted with assistance from C&S Companies in Syracuse, N.Y.

The Legislature’s Infrastructure, Facilities and Technology Committee oversees the Oswego County Airport as part of the Oswego County Highway Department. In addition to Legislator Walpole, committee members include Vice Chairman Patrick Twiss, District 13; John J. Martino, District 6; Christine Novak, District 16; Marie C. Schadt, District 19; and Michael Yerdon, District 1.

Click on Oswego County Airport or call 315-591-9129 for more information.