ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) announced a $4.5 million investment in state funding to help maintain and upgrade the Rockford Airport on Wednesday.

“The Rockford Airport is a strong economic driver of our region that provides hundreds of jobs to our community,” Stadelman said. “The funding to help maintain and upgrade sections of the airport is an investment in our residents to help our area thrive after such a tough year.”

The 96 projects selected for funding will help meet the needs of airports large and small in both urban and rural communities. Projects will include planning, construction, reconstruction, development and improvement of public airports to increase safety and efficiency. Communities also will benefit from increased aviation access, good-paying jobs during construction and long-term opportunities for workforce expansion.

Among the projects to receive funding, the Rockford Airport is set to receive $3.6 million for construction to the midfield entrance road and utility corridor as well as $900,000 to reconstruct the airport’s terminal entrance road and relocate the main terminal entrance.

A full list of recipients can be viewed by going to https://idot.click/rbi-airport-program-awards.

“Today the Rockford Airport continues to be a massive employer for the region that provides good-paying jobs to the community,” Stadelman said. “This state funding will help maintain and develop the area to help workers thrive and continue to contribute to our region’s success.”

The Illinois aviation system is one of the largest in the nation, made up of more than 850 individual landing facilities. Illinois is home to everything from O’Hare International Airport to municipal airports and private grass strips, contributing more than $95 billion annually to the state’s economy.