HOULTON, Maine — Houlton’s International Airport may soon receive a facelift this summer after receiving a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration.
U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, and U.S. Senator Angus King announced last week that the Houlton airport qualified for the grant to be used for general improvements and safety enhancements.
“In a rural state like Maine, small airports play a critical role in supporting commerce and local businesses. This funding will help our airports protect vital equipment that maintains a safe operational environment and conduct important research related to future improvements,” Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement.
Houlton International Airport in Houlton will receive $300,000 to construct a snow removal equipment building to help extend the life of snow removal equipment by protecting it from adverse weather conditions.
At a June 23 council meeting, the Houlton Town Council awarded a bid of $329,777 to Buildings Etcetera Inc. of Houlton to design and construct the building. That award was contingent on the grant from the FAA.
The town would only be responsible for 5 percent ($16,489) of the total cost, with the state kicking in the remaining 5 percent, according to Paul Cleary, Houlton Town Council Chairman. The building will be used to house all of the snow removal equipment used at the airport.
