Congressman Pat Ryan Delivers Over $4.75M

POUGHKEEPSIE – Recently, Congressman Pat Ryan announced that he secured $1,382,463 for the Hudson Valley Regional Airport in Poughkeepsie and $3,369,073 for the Orange County Airport in Montgomery for the airports to undertake major safety improvement projects. The federal funds will allow Hudson Valley Regional to rehabilitate its taxiway, modernize its guidance and lighting systems, and acquire essential snow removal equipment. Orange County Airport will overhaul its apron, where aircraft are parked, unloaded, loaded, refueled, and boarded by passengers.

“I’m proud to secure these crucial funds that will cut down on wait times, keep the Hudson Valley at the forefront of aviation technology, and create good-paying construction jobs along the way,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “Our local airports should continue to be the gold standard for flight safety and efficiency, and I’m working to deliver that first-in-class service for Hudson Valley families.”

‘The FAA grant funding for the rehabilitation and expansion of the Apron A tiedown at KMGJ is very important and allows the Airport to increase capacity to serve our pilot community,” said Orange County Executive Steve Neuahus. “KMGJ is a highly utilized General Aviation airport and FAA aviation infrastructure grants are instrumental in assisting the Airport in meeting the needs of our growing aviation community.”

“The Hudson Valley Regional Airport has become a hub of learning and economic development in our community. These grants will allow us to better maintain and improve the airport’s infrastructure, ensuring pilots, visitors, DCC students, and airport personnel can safely and reliably access the site,” said Dutchess County Executive William F.X. O’Neil.

“We remain committed to expanding the economic benefit of this resource for the people of Dutchess County. We are grateful to Congressman Ryan for supporting these important infrastructure improvements and look forward to future collaborations that will benefit Dutchess County residents and businesses.”

Congressman Ryan serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which oversees the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). On the Committee, Ryan has prioritized transportation safety initiatives, including advancing aviation safety legislation. He cosponsors the Saracini Enhanced Aviation Safety Act to require the installation of secondary cockpit barriers on certain aircraft, the Global Aircraft Maintenance Safety Improvement Act to require air carriers to issue maintenance reports, and the Aviation Workforce Development Act. In July, Ryan voted in favor of the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act, which would reauthorize the FAA with $103.9 billion for programming for five years.

The grants awarded to Hudson Valley Regional Airport and Orange County Airport come from the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP) for Fiscal Year 2023. The grants build on major investments of federal dollars in Hudson Valley airports, with Stewart Airport receiving $2.9 million for infrastructure improvements from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.