The City of Perry was recently approved for a grant through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which will help fund the runway extension at the Perry Municipal Airport.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao announced on June 30th that nearly $800 million would be provided around the nation for airport safety and infrastructure grants. Perry was one of 383 locations to receive funding, with the airports receiving aid covering a wide range of sizes and coverage areas. The Perry airport’s share of the funds was $194,444, which is part of $104.4 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act grants. The remaining $689 million in the grant funds was provided through the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program.

With nearly all of the funds needed for the Perry runway extension now in hand, City Administrator Sven Peterson says the City hopes to bid the initial work before the end of the summer, which would mean a contractor could begin dirt work as early as this fall.