SWAN LAKE  — U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro announced this week federal funding of over $3.5 million to nine airports in Upstate New York. Molinaro said that the funds are available through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The congressman serves on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, which is tasked with overseeing the rollout of IIJA. 

“I am pleased to announce these significant investments in airports across Upstate New York,” said Rep. Molinaro. “This funding will support important infrastructure improvements to ensure our local airports remain competitive and continue to meet the needs of travelers.”

One of the nine airports that received federal funding was the Sullivan County International Airport (SCIA). According to Public Works Commissioner Edward McAndrew, SCIA will receive $144,000 annually over the next five years. McAndrew said that one of the main improvements to be made to the airport with the funding will be the water system, which supports drinking water and other aquatic-based needs. 

“To attract business, one of the things that you need is good water supply systems at an airport,” McAndrew said. 

McAndrew also mentioned that this funding is not intended to address the concern of hazardous man-made chemicals known as per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that had been discovered at the airport.

As of presstime, there is no word whether the SCIA has received the funding for this year. 

As the Democrat previously reported, The Public Works Committee will discuss the resolution to authorize the County Manager to lease three vacant hangars at the SCIA on Thursday, December 14 at 10:00 a.m.