From Press, Staff Reports

Additional federal funds have been awarded to continue improvements at the Eupora Airport.

Mississippi's two Republican senators, Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker, announced the grant Tuesday.

The city will use the $148,242 grant to install a perimeter fence to prevent unauthorized entry on the airport.

The allocation is part of nearly $4 million in funding released by the Department of Transportation for airports across the state.

Funding for the grants, administered by the Federal Aviation Administration, was provided through the fiscal 2008 Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill.

"When businesses consider investing in Mississippi, our transportation infrastructure plays a critical role in their decision making processes," said Cochran. "Federal funding for our Mississippi airports will continue to be important to our state's economy and our ability to attract new jobs. I will continue to work with our congressional delegation and the Federal Aviation Administration to ensure that our airports are provided with adequate assistance in the future."

Wicker said, "When the federal government invests in airport infrastructure in Mississippi, our state's economic development efforts are greatly enhanced. These federal funds will improve airport safety and efficiency while helping our state remain economically competitive"

The Board of Aldermen took related action in February when it accepted a proposal from Calvert-Spradling of West Point for engineering services in connection with the pending fencing project.

Installation of the fence will follow previous grant-funded work at the airport that has included reconstructing West Airport Road, resurfacing the runway and taxiway, constructing an apron and upgrading runway lighting.