Allegheny County airport gets $750,000 for hangar project

PennDOT is spending nearly $10 million on Pa. airport upgrades.

Allegheny County Airport was awarded $750,000 to renovate its hangars as part of a nearly $10 million PennDOT investment to upgrade airports throughout the state.

Pennsylvania’s aviation industry employs more than 226,000 people, provides nearly $12.5 billion in payroll and employment benefits and has a $34 billion annual economic impact, according to PennDOT.

In addition to providing travel options, airports also facilitate services such as air cargo and freight, police and law enforcement, emergency medical services, firefighting and disaster and emergency response.

State Rep. Nick Pisciottano, D-West Mifflin, issued a statement commending the state’s investment.

“Our airports stimulate southwestern Pennsylvania’s economy in huge ways by creating jobs, enabling business and leisure travel, expanding shipping capabilities and more,” Pisciottano said. “Investments in aviation infrastructure ensure our region can easily connect to the rest of the world.”

Allegheny County Airport is one of the 10 busiest airports in the state and is designated as the primary reliever for Pittsburgh International Airport by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Many corporations, including PPG Industries and PNC Financial Services Group, station their jets at the airport because it’s closer to downtown Pittsburgh than Pittsburgh International Airport.

As part of the investment, Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Latrobe received $2.4 million “to expand the terminal and upgrade the Transportation Security Administration screening area.”

The airport projects received funding through the Aviation Transportation Assistance Program.

Supporting safe, reliable infrastructure while growing the state’s economy is a key priority for the Shapiro administration, per Penn-DOT.

“Pennsylvania’s aviation industry provides good-paying jobs while linking communities to a larger transportation system that moves goods and people around the world,” PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said. “These investments are another example of Gov. Shapiro’s focus on maintaining our infrastructure while also expanding regional business opportunities.”