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Airport might get big lift in federal funds Proposed bill would double current level By David Preszler of the Mail Tribune The amount of federal funding for improvements at the Medford airport would double under an agreement pending before Congress. Lawmakers have agreed on new funding levels for improvements at the nation's airports that would double allocations for Oregon's six primary airports, according to U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore. The airports at Portland, Eugene, Medford, Redmond, Klamath Falls and North Bend would receive $12.6 million annually. The funding is based on the number of flights each airport handles. At Rogue Valley International Airport-Medford, the new deal would boost funding from its current level of $944,128 to $1,888,256. Though the deal must still be voted on in both houses and signed by the president, Jackson County Airport Director Bern Case was elated at the news of a tentative agreement. "It's like Christmas," Case said. "We need every penny of it." The higher funding level would increase the airport's annual budget by about 10 percent, Case said. The airport's annual budget is typically about $10 million; this year's is closer to $16 million because of a runway extension and other projects. The 2,100-foot extension of the main runway is scheduled to be finished this fall. The federal money is earmarked for capital improvements. Asked how Medford's airport would use the extra money, Case said it would be used on issues such as improving the parking lot design and flow, improving traffic access to the airport and could help fund a new terminal. He said $128 million in improvements over the next 20 years already have been identified and the extra funding would speed those projects. The new federal agreement also includes $85 million for grants to help underserved airports attract competitive air service. The Department of Transportation would identify qualified airports and administer the grants. Case said Medford's airport would not qualify for the grant funding, since some competition does exist here. A spokeswoman in DeFazio's office said airports served by one only air carrier would qualify. Though Medford would miss out on the extra grant money, Case said the additional capital funding should help increase competition among air carriers here, perhaps encouraging new carriers to start service. "It just keeps the door open, so that we can keep improving," he says. The new funding agreement is expected to go to the floors of both houses in the next few weeks. Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA