The Demopolis Municipal Airport has been awarded a nearly $2 million grant to resurface the runway and fund additional repairs and upgrades.

Friday, Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell announced that $1.8 million had been awarded to the facility. The U.S. Department of Transportation funds were awarded by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

“A runway is just like a road. It gets cracked and grass grows up through it,” said Airport manager Buzz Sawyer. “This resurfacing will put the airport in good shape for another 10 years.”

The grant will also help the city’s aspirations to develop and maintain an intermodal complex down highway 80 west, adjacent to the airstrip.

“This funding will improve the existing runways and enhance safety at Demopolis Municipal Airport, which will allow them to manage more traffic and attract new businesses,” Sewell said. “When new businesses are attracted, jobs are created and more goods are transported across the country. These are the types of funding opportunities that will make the State of Alabama and the 7th Congressional District stronger.”

“We would like to express our gratitude to Congresswoman Sewell for her continued support,” said Demopolis Mayor J. Michael Grayson. “This funding is important to the citizens of Demopolis and surrounding communities. We look forward to the opportunities that this grant will create for this city, county and state.”

Sawyer said the resurfacing project would likely begin in September and would take approximately six weeks to complete.