OGDENSBURG -- The state Senate today approved legislation that helps open up Ogdensburg Airport for Allegiant Air, which says will offer flights from the North Country to Florida and beyond.

The bill is backed by the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority and sponsored by Senator Patty Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, according to Ritchie.

The measure includes a legal fix to clarify OBPA’s legal power to issue bonds for upgrades to the authority-owned Ogdensburg International Airport, including a runway and terminal expansion needed to handle larger planes of Allegiant Air. The company is proposing the new service that could draw as many as 40,000 Canadian travelers from Ottawa and other airports, Ritchie said.

OBPA has applied for federal funds to pay most of the cost of the $18.5 million project at the airport, known by its three letter international airport code as “OGS.” OBPA wanted to clarify its bonding authority so that it can front some of the costs, as well as cover its required local share.

The Senate bill, a 23-word fix to OBPA’s existing statute, differs from a more complicated, 3,000-word version that Ritchie says “was rushed through the Assembly earlier this month.”

“Study of that bill found that it was largely unneeded, and the Assembly recalled its earlier bill, and passed Senator Ritchie’s version earlier this week,” Ritchie claims.

Under the bill, the OBPA can only issue bonds with the approval of the state comptroller.

The bill will be sent to the Governor for his signature.

“The authority would like to thank Senator Ritchie for her tireless efforts working towards the passage of this legislation and for her support of job-creating infrastructure projects in the North Country,” said OBPA Executive Director Wade Davis. “This bill, when law, will enable the Authority to better compete for state and federal grants and bond for fiscally-prudent future capital projects which directly create and support private-sector jobs. Senator Ritchie’s efforts are greatly appreciated as the Authority strives to continue to be an economic driver in the North Country region.”

“The airport expansion will help strengthen Ogdensburg’s place as an international gateway, and also play a key role in revitalizing our economy and creating jobs,” Ritchie said. “This simple fix to the OBPA’s bonding authority benefits North Country residents by creating economic opportunity, jobs and new travel options. It’s an important project that promises to improve the quality of life for residents of our region.”