Story Created: Feb 24, 2012 at 6:22 PM EST
Story Updated: Feb 24, 2012 at 6:22 PM EST
ROME, N.Y. (WKTV) - U.S. Senator Charles Schumer visited Griffiss International Airport in Rome on Friday, announcing his push to re-secure Military Airport Program (MAP) funding to the airport.The airport had been receiving $40 million in MAP federal funding from 2004 to 2010 to help it transition from a military airport to civilian use until it lost its slot to a Brunswick, ME airport.
Previously, only one former military-turned-general aviation airport was eligible for the funding, but now through the passing of a recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) bill backed by Schumer, three former military airports can receive the funds. Schumer says he is hopeful Griffiss will receive the money, helping the airport continue to expand and create jobs.
"It's really crucial, because this airport is growing," Senator Schumer said. "It actually has more jobs now than it had when Griffiss was an Air Force base."
Schumer says they will move forward by creating many construction jobs and opening up avenues for new business.
"It encourages businesses here, because if a business can be right at an airport and its executives, especially with lots of branches where it's executives can fly in and out quickly and easily, that's a place they want to come," says Schumer.
Griffiss would use the funds to build a new terminal building as well as renovate two former military hangars to help establish the airport as a maintenance hub for the Northeast.
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