MacArthur gets $14M in federal funding

Long Island MacArthur Airport is receiving $14 million in federal funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Allocated by the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Terminal Program, the funding will be used for terminal and energy-efficiency upgrades.

The airport serves more than 1.5 million passengers each year and supports more than 6,000 local jobs.

The airport “needs to be safe, modern, and efficient in order to facilitate tourism and spur local economic growth,” Sen. Kristen Gillibrand said in a statement after her recent visit to the airport.

The funding will upgrade the Main Terminal Building utilities as well as the fire and life safety systems to comply with current building codes and provide greater energy efficiency. The project includes the installation of a new generator to ensure continuous and efficient operation of the Main Terminal Building and Maintenance Building.

“Multiple studies, including those conducted by our organization, point to the airport’s tremendous potential to generate jobs and promote economic development on Long Island,” Terri Alessi-Miceli, President and CEO of HIA-LI, said in the statement.

“Continued investment in Long Island MacArthur Airport is key to furthering the region’s $6.3 billion tourism industry, attracting new business, and sustaining economic development,” Discover Long Island President and CEO Kristen Reynolds said in the statement.