By ANDY GARDNER

MASSENA -- Town officials say they want to act quickly to apply for one of the $40 million competitive state airport grants announced by Gov. Andrew Cuomo earlier in the month.

“I think we as a board need to move on this without delay,” Councilman Albert Nicola said.

The proposal will pit smaller airports from around the state against each other for five $40 million grants.

Town Supervisor Joseph Gray said there are still challenges to getting the airport ready for a $40 million project.

“We need to agree on a direction for the airport ourselves,” Gray said. “There are some challenges there we need to meet. The zoning needs to be changed. [600 acres around the airport] is still zoned residential-agricultural.

“We have plenty of stuff we need to do to get the airport ready for anything. We need to think big.”

Gray said they will likely sit down with airport officials next month and discuss plans.

“The proposal is designed to enhance airports throughout Upstate New York, and promote new opportunities for regional economic development and partnership between the public and private sectors,” the press release from the governor’s office said.

The Federal Aviation Administration is providing the majority of funding for two airport projects in St. Lawrence County.

The airport in Ogdensburg is currently undergoing improvement, with an extension of its runway and an expanded terminal building, in anticipation of the airline Allegiant coming to the airport to offer flights to Florida and other destinations.

Potsdam’s airport, Damon Field, will have a wider runway soon.

The FAA typically offers 90 percent of funds for approved public airport projects in the U.S.

Cuomo’s press release says the grant competition is “to accelerate investments in commercial passenger and cargo service airports, creating thousands of well-paying jobs and promoting even more economic development upstate.

“This competition intends to foster innovative, comprehensive, and forward-looking development plans. The State will award five airports approximately $40 million each. Grants will fund projects that enhance safety, improve operations and access, reduce environmental impact, and create better passenger experiences. The competition will seek out the strongest proposals, ones that will create jobs, incorporate sustainable ‘green’ building techniques, use renewable energy, demonstrate support from airlines and the community, leverage private investments, and demonstrate cost effectiveness,” the statement said.