Chautauqua County has been awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars to rehabilitate an airport runway in Jamestown.

Rep. Nick Langworthy, along with U.S. Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles Schumer announced that Chautauqua County will receive a $424,800 grant for the Chautauqua County-Jamestown Airport as part of the 2024 Airport Improvement Program under the Federal Aviation Administration.

The grant will support phase 1 of a project focused on reconstructing the lighting and signage on Runway 13/31 that have reached the end of their useful life, as well as reinforcing the structural integrity of the paved runway.

“The Chautauqua County-Jamestown Airport is a key asset for our community, ensuring reliable transportation and supporting local businesses,” Langworthy said. “This grant will provide much-needed upgrades to the airport’s infrastructure, enhancing safety and efficiency for all who rely on it.”

The funding is coming from $59,115,204 in federal funding awarded to New York state to modernize facilities and strengthen airfield safety at 26 airports statewide. This federal funding was granted through the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program and will help fund projects that address safety, capacity, and security at New York’s airports.

“This $59+ million federal investment in new terminals, taxiways, safety, and other critical infrastructure upgrades will help airports soar. I fought hard to bolster the Airport Improvement Program in the FAA reauthorization this past year because I know this program is the main federal lifeline for these airports and today’s investment will help our local economies take off,” Schumer stated.

Gillibrand agreed. “New York’s airports welcome millions of travelers each year, and it is vital that they have up-to-date infrastructure needed for passengers to travel safely,” she said.

Chautauqua County is responsible to pay for $24,100 and New York state will pay $24,100.

During the recent Chautauqua County Legislature meeting, county lawmakers voted 17-1 to accept the funds. Legislator Bob Scudder, R-Fredonia, was the lone “no” vote.

During committee discussions beforehand, Scudder said he would not vote in favor of the funds because “it keeps us in the airport business without paying them (federal government) back.”

County airports Manager Shannon Fischer defended accepting the grants. “I see it a little differently. Bob sees it as ‘strings attached.’ I see it as they want to give us a lot of money and I would want it to be spent in a certain way as well,” she said.

Separately, the county legislature also accepted a $23,243 grant to purchase testing equipment for the foam used by the airport’s fire truck. No local or state tax match is required.

Finally the county legislature accepted a $126,684 grant to design the reconstruction of the airport terminal. The county and state would each be responsible for $7,038.

Scudder voted against both grants as well.