Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport Manager Eric Billowitz, Congressman Richard E. Neal, and Westfield Mayor Brian P. Sullivan announced a $2,657,142 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation Monday for the local airport to help improve drainage issues. (Photo submitted)
WESTFIELD – Congressman Richard E. Neal was at Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport on Monday morning with Mayor Brian P. Sullivan and Airport Manager Eric Billowitz, to announce the awarding of a U.S. Department of Transportation Discretionary Grant of $2,657,142 to improve drainage at Barnes Airport.
This follows a vote by the City Council on August 16 to accept a Federal Aviation Administration grant of $162,720 for the design phase for airport drainage improvement.
“Federal funds provide critical support to the City’s efforts in making Barnes Regional Airport an economic driver for our community,” Mayor Sullivan said. “Congressman Neal’s assistance will allow us to more effectively manage storm water to both protect our natural resources and extend the life of the runway,” he added.
During this year’s budget reviews in June, Billowitz ran down some of the grants received by the airport this year, including security perimeter fencing valued at $365,000 from MassDOT with no local share. “We had a good year in that regard. We had a wish list, and they pretty much gave us everything on it,” Billowitz added.
At that same meeting, Billowitz also said Air Methods air medical transport had just finished construction at Barnes, and was expected to be fully operational by the end of June, adding to airport revenues. He also said at least two entities operating at other airports were looking at Barnes as their next best option, but that he couldn’t say any more.
“The regional airport in Westfield is increasingly playing a larger and more important role in our local transportation infrastructure. It is also helping to create good jobs and economic development here in western Massachusetts. Today’s federal grant is an investment in the airport’s future and will help improve drainage issues,” said Congressman Richard E. Neal.
