CUELLAR ANNOUNCES $8 MILLION IN JOB CREATION FUNDS FOR LAREDO AIRPORT

MAJOR GRANT WILL REHABILITATE RUNWAY, CREATE NEW JOBS, AND STRENGTHEN TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Henry Cuellar today joined Laredo Mayor Raul Salinas to announce that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded $8 million to rehabilitate R unway 17R-35L at the Laredo International Airport .   Funds for the major new grant were provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the job - creation bill that was enacted by Congress earlier this year .

“This news could not come at a better moment for the city of Laredo,” Congressman Cuellar said.  “In today’s challenging economy, these funds will create new jobs, strengthen our transportation infrastructure, and provide a major boost to the Webb County economy.”

“Thanks to federal dollars, the City of Laredo has been able to completely reconstruct and improve the airport,” said Mayor Salinas.  “An important benefit is that the reconstruction will enhance operational safety, reduce operational / maintenance cost and enhance capacity, which will allow the airport to continue to be an economic developer for the City of Laredo.”

Runway 17R/35L is Laredo’s primary runway, and the area to be reconstructed under this grant is about 5,900 feet long and 150 feet wide – roughly the area of 18 football fields.  In addition to strengthening the Laredo economy, the reconstruction of Runway 17R/35L will enhance operational safety, reduce operational and maintenance cost, and enhance capacity. 

The latest $8 million in funding arrives on the heels of $6.7 million in earlier Federal Aviation Administration grants provided to the Laredo International Airport over the past year.  The previous funding includes $3.5 million for Phase Four of reconstruction on the General Aviation Apron and $3.2 million for reconstruction on Runway 14/32.

Upon completion of the 17R/35L reconstruction work, the City of Laredo will have met its long-term goal of rehabilitating or reconstructing all three of its active runways.

Congressman Cuellar added, “The mayor, the city manager, and the city council all played key roles in securing these funds.  They deserve major credit for their hard work to bring new construction and new jobs to Laredo.”