KOB News: Roswell, Artesia airport awarded federal grants

Airports in Artesia and Roswell will receive $5.29 million in federal grant money to improve their infrastructure, Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich announced Wednesday in a joint statement.

The Artesia Municipal Airport will get $3.15 million and the Roswell International Air Center $2.14 million for rehabilitation to runways, according to the statement.

The Federal Aviation Administration issued the grants.

"These investments will update two of New Mexico's airports and keep our state a prime destination for business and tourism," Heinrich said in the statement.

Udall said both airports provide access to federal facilities and support commercial growth.

"The region is already seeing the economic benefits of the new flights between Roswell and Phoenix, and as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee,” he said in the statement.