The Columbia-Marion County Airport has received a $110,790 federal grant to build a new taxiway, U.S. Sens. Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker announced Friday.

The new taxiway will accommodate present and future needs and provide access to new hangars, a news release from Cochran’s office states. The grant will also begin installation of a precision approach path indicator system to aid navigation and enhance operational safety, the release states. A perimeter fence to keep wildlife off the runway will also be paid for by the grant.

Statewide, a total of $2.3 million in grants were awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The Hattiesburg Bobby L. Chain Municipal Airport received $108,659 to install a new taxiway lighting system to enhance safety and operations through improved visibility. The grant also includes funding to improve drainage, reducing and preventing erosion problems.

The Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport Authority received $720,100 to install a new taxiway lighting system to enhance safety and operations through improved visibility. The grant will also fund the installation of a new emergency generator to ensure continued airport operations when commercial power is unavailable. Funding will also be provided for rehabilitation and maintenance on Taxiway B.

The Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants, administered by the Federal Aviation Administration, were provided through the Fiscal Year 2010 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill.  AIP grants are used to support infrastructure development projects that will improve operational safety and efficiency at local airport facilities.

“Airport Improvement Program grants allow Mississippi communities to make the safety upgrades they need to maintain airport facilities,” said Cochran, R-Miss. and vice chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “These facilities are often important to economic development efforts, so I am pleased to see these resources being directed to our state.”

Wicker, R-Miss., said, “These federal dollars are a good investment in our state’s aviation infrastructure, and they will provide greater operational safety at our local airports. These improvements will also strengthen Mississippi’s economy by keeping our airports, which are key commercial hubs, operating efficiently and competitively.”