Piseco Airport in Hamilton County has received more than $1.4 million in federal funding to rehabilitate its helipad and terminal apron pavement.
U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer said the Federal Aviation Administration grant will cover the final construction phase of the work at the municipally owned airport in the town of Arietta.
The project will rehabilitate 4,000 square feet of helipad and 10,500 square yards of terminal apron pavement. The work is intended to extend the facilities' useful life, maintain pavement strength and reduce debris hazards.
The $1,412,438 award comes through the FAA's Airport Improvement Program. Schumer said funding for the program was increased through the federal infrastructure law and the 2024 FAA reauthorization.
The airport previously lost eligibility for annual grants because of a federal rule governing access from neighboring residential property.
Six homes on eight properties line the western side of the airstrip, and Arietta granted those owners permanent access rights in 1971. A 2013 FAA rule required neighboring airport access to be sold at fair market value, putting Piseco out of compliance.
Former Arietta Supervisor Rick Wilt raised the issue with Schumer in 2016. Schumer's office then worked with the FAA and local officials to seek a regulatory or legislative fix.
Congress approved a grandfather provision in the 2018 FAA reauthorization that restored eligibility for certain airports, including Piseco. Since then, the airport has continued receiving about $150,000 a year in Airport Improvement Program funding.
Arietta has a population of about 304, and local officials had said the town could not afford to operate and maintain the airport without federal aviation grants.
Schumer announced the larger modernization award after eight years of work following the eligibility dispute. He also paid tribute to Wilt, who died last month.
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