Southeast and southern New Mexico airports could get the bulk of $314M for airport fixes
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A proposed bill before the New Mexico Legislature could add millions of dollars to the New Mexico Department of Transportation for structure and facility improvements for 49 New Mexico airports, according to the legislation.
Senate Bill 104 introduced Jan. 19 by Sen. George Munoz (D-4) and Sen. Antonio Maestas (D-26) sets aside over $314 million from New Mexico’s general fund to the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) for fiscal years 2024 through 2027.
SB 104 received a do pass recommendation Feb. 2 from the New Mexico Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee, noted the New Mexico Legislature’s website.
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An analysis of the bill from the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) says NMDOT reports cite current funds for the state aviation fund were insufficient to fully pay for a backlog of projects.
NMDOT reports current revenues into the state aviation fund are insufficient to fully fund a back log of projects.
The analysis slated NMDOT needs at least $500 million to take care of the projects.
Daniel Moran, manager of NMDOT’s Aviation Division, said the annual budget is around $6 million a year as 90 percent of funds go to communities in the form of grants.
“We have an obligation to meet a matching requirement on the federal grants that the communities receive so that we can make them whole on projects,” he said.
“We’ve had a limited budget based on how our revenues are structured. It forces us to focus on the most pressing issues when it comes to safety and maintaining integrity on the runways and the pavements,” Moran added.
He said the state aviation fund receives distributions of tax revenue from gross receipts tax (GRT) on the sale of jet fuel and gasoline, monthly GRT distributions that would go into the State of New Mexico’s general fund and aircraft registration.
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11 airports in southern and southeast New Mexico seek share of funds
Nearly $141 million would go for airport improvements in Dona Ana, Eddy, Otero, Chaves, Lea and Lincoln counties, read the LFC report.
Roswell’s Air Center would receive the largest amount of state funds at $51.3 million in southern and southeast New Mexico, according to the legislation.
Located on 4,600 acres the former World War II and Cold War air force base was the largest of the U.S. Air Force’s Strategic Air Command bases until it closed in 1967, read the airport’s website.
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The Roswell Air Center was developed after the closure and offers daily commuter flights via American Airlines to Dallas-Fort Worth and Phoenix’s Sky Harbor Airport.
The site was used for several years to launch balloons for Air Force projects and serves as a storage facility for jets once operated by American Airlines.
The Lea County Regional Airport in Hobbs could receive $22.2 million if the proposed bill is passed and signed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.
“It gives us the ability to expand our runway and area around our terminal,” said Hobbs Mayor Sam Cobb.
He said improvements would allow for more amenities which could help the City of Hobbs, Lea County, and the Economic Development Corporation of Lea County in future talks with United Airlines for continued air passenger service to Houston and Denver.
Eddy County’s two airports, Cavern City Air Terminal in Carlsbad and Artesia’s Municipal Airport, would receive a combined $14.6 million for improvements.
Artesia would get the bulk of the money with $8.7 million, and Carlsbad would get $5.9 million.
“That will be almost an account for Carlsbad for infrastructure projects at their airport. We’ll make sure those guys get those funds and we’ll address the needs they’ve been wanting to get addressed years just because they haven’t been able to because there hasn’t been a lot of money,” Moran said.
More:Artesia Airport receives $59K in American Rescue Plan funds
Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway said Cavern City Air Terminal is essential for the future growth of Carlsbad as Boutique Air provides flights to Albuquerque and Dallas-Fort Worth.
He said Cavern City Air Terminal also provides space for firefighting support and medical services.
“These funds if approved, would go to key projects at Carlsbad’s airport to ensure the facility’s long-term safety. We’re certainly pleased to see funds returned to investment in Carlsbad and southeast New Mexico,” Janway said.
Other airports in southern and southeast New Mexico receiving funds:
Alamogordo White Sands $15.5 million, Carrizozo Municipal Airport $1.5 million, Hatch Municipal Airport $3 million, Jal-Lea County Airport $2.9 million, Zip Franklin Airport Lovington $2.2 million, Las Cruces International Airport $17.5 million, and Sierra Blanca Regional Airport Ruidoso $9.6 million.
Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMichae on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Eddy County could receive millions from state for airport fixes
