TOPEKA — Governor Laura Kelly today announced that 66 airport projects across the state have been selected for Kansas Airport Improvement Program (KAIP) funding for planning, constructing, or rehabilitating public-use general aviation airports."Whether it be airplane manufacturing, a link in the supply chain logistics, or travel, the Kansas aerospace industry is an essential part of our state's economy," Governor Laura Kelly said. "These grants ensure the safety and longevity of Kansas airports, all while contributing to economic growth and job creation."The aviation industry represents over $20.6 billion in economic impact across a broad spectrum of supply chain and manufacturing industries in Kansas. "Every mode of transportation is a link to the state's economic vitality," said Calvin Reed, Secretary of Transportation. "These airport improvements are a few of many important efforts to empower the aviation industry across Kansas."The KAIP typically receives $5 million annually through the bipartisan Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program (IKE) and requires airport sponsors to participate in project costs by paying a minimum of 5% of the total project. This year, the program awarded more than $11 million to 66 approved projects, with a total project value of nearly $14.4 million.The Kansas Department of Transportation's Division of Aviation received 153 applications seeking a combined total project value of more than $66 million for this round of KAIP grants. Projects were scored according to impact on flight safety, economic growth, and regional benefit. "We're grateful to satisfy 22% of the total airport improvements requested this year,"said Bob Brock, Director of the Division of Aviation, Kansas Department of Transportation. "We look forward to new and ongoing partnerships with aviation stakeholders to achieve stronger aviation infrastructure for the future." Approved 2023 Kansas Airport Improvement Program projects: Allen County – Replace Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS), $153,000; taxiway rehabilitation, $157,500Amelia Earhart, City of Atchison– Construct automated gate, $42,075Chanute – North apron reconstruction, $424,570; perimeter fencing, $180,000Cheyenne County – Replace AWOS system, $153,000Coffeyville – Crack seal and remark runway, $42,750 design, $229,500 constructColonel James Jabara, Wichita – Relocate/widen taxiway, $114,000 design, $800,160 constructComanche County – Preserve concrete runway, $19,000 design, $225,000 constructCook Airfield, Rose Hill – Used Jet A truck, $30,000; electric hose reel for MOGAS pump, $3,000; Parking ramp, $148,500; pavement repairs, $18,000Jack Thomas Memorial, El Dorado – Replace fuel system, $10,800Elkhart Morton County – Rehabilitate terminal building, $29,750Fort Scott Municipal – Taxiway rehabilitation, $57,600Gardner – Taxiway, $47,500 design, $99,000 constructGarnett – Replace fuel system, $90,000; terminal rehabilitation, $15,300Great Bend Municipal – Replace primary wind cone, $5,588Harper Municipal – Replace fuel farm card reader, $21,250Hays Regional – Pavement repair materials, $25,500; upgrade security and access gates, $21,250; ARFF station gate automation, $17,000Hugoton Municipal – AWOS update, $5,700 design; $165,600 construct; fuel dispenser, $4,750 design, $40,950 constructHutchinson Regional – Install wildlife dig barrier for perimeter fence, $32,504Independence Municipal – Airport rotating beacon/tower, $23,750 design, $112,500 constructJohnson County Executive – Pavement maintenance materials, $13,600; southwest fence, $129,600; north fence, $156,150Kinsley Municipal – Fuel farm card reader, $13,500Lawrence Regional – Airport master plan update, $360,000; apron rehabilitation, $130,500 design, $800,000 construct; runway extension, $99,750 designLyons-Rice County Municipal – Fuel system. $23,750 design, $282,600 constructMark Hoard Memorial, Leoti – AWOS III, $163,764Medicine Lodge – AWOS update, $5,700 design, $165,600 constructMontezuma Municipal – Seal, patch, overlay and stripe runway, $792,700Moundridge Municipal – Resurface runway, $720,000New Century Air Center, Johnson County– Airfield electrical vault building, $89,300 design, $338,400 construct; rehabilitation of central portion of the west apron, $133,000 design, $800,000 construct; maintenance materials, $13,600Norton Municipal – Replace and relocate AWOS, $153,000Oakley Municipal – Replace rotating beacon and tower, $76,500Pratt Regional – Apron and hangar area rehabilitation, $59,850 design, $653,400 constructShalz Field, Colby – Card station for self-serve fuel pumps, $16,200Syracuse-Hamilton County – Replace fuel system, $66,500, design, $486,000 construct; replace AWOS, $121,500Tribune Municipal – Remove telecom tower to mitigate runway obstruction, $72,000Wamego Municipal – Airport development plan/master plan (phase II), $66,500; reconstruct apron and connecting taxiway, $468,000 ###