OGDENSBURG --  $475,000 in grant funding has been awarded to Ogdensburg International Airport, according to an announcement from the office of Rep. Bill Owens (D-Plattsburgh).

"This project will support the northern New York air traveler by implementing critical infrastructure improvements," said Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority Executive Director Wade A. Davis.

The Ogdensburg International Airport is a public airport spanning 500 acres, with 5,200 feet of asphalt runway.

The OBPA has applied for Federal Aviation Administration approval and funds to extend the runway at the airport to make it long enough for commercial passenger jets to take off and land there. The object is to attract airline business that would use the airport as part of its regular operations.

Ogdensburg is among the airports that Cape Air uses for short flights using small twin-engine aircraft.

The OBPA has secured agreement for Allegiant Air to make a loan of $1 million to the airport for terminal and parking lot improvements if the runway extension is completed. It is hoped that that would be preparatory to Allegiant’s setting up of more substantial flights from the North Country, such as the service the airline now provides from Plattsburgh to Florida destinations and Las Vegas.