South Alabama Regional Airport is one of three Alabama airports that will benefit from more than $4.5 million in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grants, U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby announced this week. 

SARA is receiving $2.1 million to construct, extend and improve a safety area. 

Jeremiah Denton Airport in Dauphin Island and Thomas C. Russell Field Airport in Alexander City also received funding. 

“I am proud that Alabama is receiving federal funding that will bring significant improvements to these three local airports around the state,” said Senator Shelby.  “This $4.5 million in FAA grants will allow for infrastructure advancements that will help promote economic development and benefit our aviation industry for years to come.”

Each of these FAA grants are administered through the Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which was funded in the FY21 annual appropriations package that was signed into law in December 2020.