Kansas Governor Laura Kelly announced Wednesday that Atchison is among 11 Kansas communities receiving funding through the Federal Aviation Administration's Airport Infrastructure Grant Program.
Atchison's project represents a total investment of $275,001 for rehabilitation and reconstruction work involving airport aprons, hangars and taxilanes.
The announcement follows action Monday by the Atchison City Commission to extend its fixed-base operator agreement with Heartland Ag Aviation through December 31, 2028, and reinstate city hangar lease fees beginning January 1, 2027.
The extension is intended to compensate the airport operator for the lengthy suspension of services during construction of Runway 09-27, which experienced delays and required approximately two and a half years of closure.
The city also delayed reinstatement of hangar lease fees to give aircraft owners who relocated during construction an opportunity to return without having to pay rent at two airports simultaneously.
Although the new runway has been completed and is primarily usable, some remaining work includes seeding, weather station activation, flight checks and publication of updated airport information.
The commission unanimously approved the contract extension and reinstatement of lease fees.
Regarding the statewide airport investments, the governor's office says Atchison's project is part of more than $4.5 million in airport infrastructure investments across 11 Kansas communities.
The announcement includes more than $4.2 million in federal funding, over $212,000 in state matching funds through the Build Kansas Fund, and more than $12,000 in local contributions. The release did not specify the individual federal, state and local shares of Atchison's $275,001 project investment.
The funding comes through the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, with the Kansas Infrastructure Hub helping communities secure federal grants and the Build Kansas Fund providing matching dollars.
Kelly said investments in airports are important for improving transportation connectivity and supporting local economies.
Kansas Department of Transportation Aviation Director Ray Seif said airports provide essential access for air ambulances, agricultural operations, firefighting aircraft, businesses and flight training.
Since 2024, the Build Kansas Fund has provided $51.7 million in state matching funds to help secure nearly $169 million in federal grants for 110 projects across Kansas.
