Fairhope, Gulf Shores Airports Receive State Grants

The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) has awarded more than $2 million in state grants to improve infrastructure at 27 public-use airports statewide, including projects in Gulf Shores and Fairhope, Gulf Coast Media reports. H.L. “Sonny” Callahan Airport in Fairhope will receive $468,258 in state funds and contribute $156,086 in local matching funds for pavement maintenance on the east terminal ramp and northwest apron. In Gulf Shores, the airport, which started flying its first commercial airline in Allegiant this spring, is set to upgrade its terminal parking lot with a $215,787 grant from the state matched by the airport for a total of $431,574. The grants are part of ALDOT’s Alabama Airport Improvement Funding Program, which provides financial assistance and technical support to public-use airports across the state. Eligible projects include land acquisition, runway and taxiway improvements, hangar construction, facility maintenance and other operational upgrades.