Sloulin Field International Airport of Williston was the recipient of an $18,160 air carrier grant as part of $846,228 awarded by the agency this week.

Dickinson, which shares flights to Denver with Williston through Great Lakes Aviation, received $46,457 in air carrier grant funds.

Bismarck was awarded $165,041; Devils Lake, $46,457; Fargo received $263,703; Grand Forks received $214,043; Jamestown was awarded $8,875; and Minot received $104,988.

“The main focus of the grant requests this year varied from the terminal expansion at Fargo to wildlife hazard mitigation at Grand Forks to a sander truck at Devils Lake and Dickinson,” said Gary Ness, director of the North Dakota State Aeronautics Commission.

“The $846,228 state funding assists in the match for the FAA's Airport Improvement projects and the local level. These state grant funds are invested to improve airfield safety and assist in repair, maintenance and reconstruction of airport pavements,” Ness said. “The revenue for these three airport grants are derived from the aviation fuel tax, excise taxes collected on aircraft purchases and state general funds. This funding supports an $861 million annual economic impact aviation system at the eight commercial North Dakota airports.”

In a separate grant for general aviation public airports Tioga's airport drew $41,948 to reconstruct its runway and $42,500 toward a rehabilitation airport access road project.

Some $591,474 were allotted from these funds, according to Ness.

He explained that these state grants are invested to improve airfield safety and assist in repair, maintenance and reconstruction of airport pavements. A strong demand is shown for new hangar facilities, automated weather systems, self-fueling systems, snow removal equipment and maintenance buildings to house the equipment. Ness said the cooperation of the local airports, the Federal Aviation Administration Airports District Office under the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission has strengthened the state's 82 general aviation airport infrastructures.

“The revenue source for these general aviation airport grants is derived from the four percent tax on aviation motor fuels and the aircraft excise tax collected in North Dakota. These state aviation taxes are invested back into aviation to support a $120 million general aviation economy in North Dakota,” reported Ness.

Watford City's airport received $4,013 from this grant source to install an automated weather system and hangar supplement. Parshall used $8,428 to construct an apron expansion, access road and fuel system.

New Town's airport personnel spent $23,500 to seal its runways and markings, and rehabilitation of runway lights through the grant. It used another $900 in the grant money for crack sealing work.