BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

MASSENA -- Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand have secured over $4.2 million combined for Massena International Airport and Ogdensburg International Airport.

The news broke as Schumer and Gillbrand announced nearly $60 million in funding for airports across the state.

The grant funds, which come from federal funding, will be used to modernize facilities and strengthen airfield safety at 26 different airports across the state.

“From big cities like Buffalo & Syracuse to our rural communities in the North Country, Upstate NY’s regional airports are gateways for commerce, tourism and travel for residents. It is essential that they have the resources they need to deliver a safe and comfortable experience to all travelers, which is why I am proud to deliver a whopping $59+ million for airports across the Empire State to help our airports of all sizes reach new heights,” said Schumer.

“This $59+ million federal investment in new terminals, taxiways, safety, and other critical infrastructure upgrades will help airports soar. I fought hard to bolster the Airport Improvement Program in the FAA reauthorization this past year because I know this program is the main federal lifeline for these airports and today’s investment will help our local economies take off!”

Massena International Airport will receive $2,254,896 to construct a new sand storage building, while Ogdensburg International Airport will receive $2 million for an ongoing terminal expansion project.

"New York’s airports welcome millions of travelers each year, and it is vital that they have up-to-date infrastructure needed for passengers to travel safely,” said Gillibrand.

“This nearly $60 million in federal funding will bring much-needed safety and infrastructure improvements to airports across New York State. I am excited to announce this funding and will continue fighting to bring vital modernization efforts and improvements to airports across New York State.”

Massnea town officials recently took action during the Aug. 21 board meeting to accept any potential future grant offers by the FAA for the sand storage building project.

The project has been in the works for several months as Highway Superintendent Dylan Casselman and other town officials have sought funding for the project in hopes of completing the new storage facility before winter.

Officials previously said the project would greatly benefit airport crews in maintaining facilities around the facility.

For Ogdensburg, the funding comes on the heals of an additional $2,565,051 grant received just three weeks ago.

The Ogdensburg airport funding is earmarked for expansion and reconstruction of the terminal.

“The Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority extends our deepest thanks to Senator Schumer for his unwavering support and leadership in securing the BIL AIG grant for the Ogdensburg International Airport,” Steve Lawrence, Executive Director of the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority previously said. “This funding is crucial for the ongoing renovation and modernization of our terminal, ensuring that we can continue to serve our community and visitors with state-of-the-art facilities.”