Kagen Secures Over $2.5 Million for Outagamie Airport

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 30, 2010

KAGEN SECURES OVER $2.5 MILLION FOR OUTAGAMIE AIRPORT

Airport is vital to local economy, supports over $400 million in output annually

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Congressman Steve Kagen, M.D. celebrated a huge win for Northeast Wisconisn late last night when the House of Representatives approved a $750,000 investment in the Outagamie Regional Airport.  The funds secured last night, combined with two recent grant announcements for the critical gateway exceed $2.5 million.

" Outagamie County has a world class airport, and I am working hard to help make it even better,” remarked Kagen.  “We’re moving forward together, and it was a pleasure for me to work in partnership with Director Marty Lenss in winning these necessary federal funds to improve our airport and the services it provides."

Dr. Kagen ensured the funding requested by Outagamie Airport Director Marty Lenss was included in the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act for FY 2011 that passed in the House of Representatives last evening. The $750,000 appropriation will be used for a runway safety project in response to recommendations from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Runway Safety Action Team. 

“We are very appreciative of Congressman Kagen’s efforts to help secure funding for critical community transportation infrastructure,” Lenss said.  “It is our intent to put the dollars toward the airfield signage and runway guard light project, a high priority FAA runway safety project designed to increase pilot situational awareness and reduce the potential for runway incursions.”

The Outagamie Regional Airport also recently received two grants, which Dr. Kagen supported, from the U.S. Department of Transportation in the amounts of $1,040,795 and $731,215 to help with other planned projects.  Airport Director Marin Lenss said the larger grant will be used to construct a chemical storage building that will allow the airport operator to provide efficient winter maintenance to airport pavement.

“The Aircraft Glycol-Mixing building project will provide for centralized storage, containment, and mixing operations for all aircraft de-icing product,” Lenss noted.  “The project will result in improved operational efficiencies in the replenishing of deicing fluid into aircraft deicing trucks during snow removal operations and provide environmentally friendly product containment.”

The publically owned Outagamie County Regional Airport provides transportation services to northeast Wisconsin.  The airport has an economic impact to the area of $407.5 million in total output, $119.9 million in total wage income, and supports over 2,500 jobs.

The airport plays a critical role in fostering business growth and economic development in the region, serving over 500,000 passengers annually, and 10 million pounds of freight and mail annually. Realizing the need for such a vital asset, Congressman Kagen, a member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee has consistently advocated for investments in Outagamie Regional Airport to preserve existing facilities, enhance safety, meet the increasing demand for commercial service air travel and support economic growth and development in the region.

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