Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today announced that the Santa Fe Municipal Airport will receive approximately $1.01 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).

Funding will be used to construct a new aircraft rescue and fire fighting building at the airport.  Upgrades to the current fire station are needed before the airport can begin their new regional jet service.  Bingaman last month urged the Federal Aviation Administration to act quickly to approve an environmental assessment that is needed before commercial service can begin.

"Santa Fe continues to be a popular tourist destination and may soon have commercial service restored.  The funding released today will help the Santa Fe Municipal Airport make improvements to its fire and rescue station," Bingaman wrote.

Bingaman said the DOT will make additional funding available for this project in the coming weeks.