SAVOY, Ill. (WAND) – An airport in central Illinois is set to claim millions of dollars in federal funding.
The U.S. Department of Transportation announced Monday that $3 million will go to Willard Airport in Savoy. It’s part of a national airport funding announcement – a slice of a $3.18 billion Airport Improvement Program pot – that includes $659.8 million in Federal Aviation Administration dollars.
Over a dozen airports will receive funding in the announced grant awards.
Federal leaders say the money is meant to help repair taxiways A5 and A6 at the airport.
“Our airports are essential in supporting $1.6 trillion in total economic activity and nearly 11 million jobs,” said Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao. “These federal grants will help our airports to maintain safety and improve efficiency for freight and passengers.”
Willard, which is owned by the University of Illinois, recently lost United Airlines as a partner for flights to Chicago O’Hare. The airline announced it would stop servicing the airport after Sept. 4, and said on July 2 that it would offer different flights or refunds to people who had already booked past that date.
