Cullman, Albertville Regional Airports Receive $1.9 Million Infrastructure Grants

U.S. Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-AL4) has announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded more than $1.9 million in Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG) to two regional airports in Alabama’s 4th Congressional District.

The grants, part of the Fiscal Year 2025 AIG program, will fund major infrastructure upgrades at Cullman Regional Airport – Folsom Field and Albertville Regional Airport – Thomas J. Brumlik Field.

“These federal investments in airport infrastructure are vital to supporting economic growth and public safety across North Alabama,” said Rep. Aderholt. “By upgrading and expanding our aviation facilities, we are ensuring they can continue to serve our communities for years to come.”

Cullman Regional will receive $1,011,708 to fund Phase 2 of its Midfield Taxiway project. This phase covers the construction of a new 600-foot taxiway designed to accommodate increasing aircraft traffic.

Ben Harrison, Director of Cullman Regional Airport, emphasized the long-term impact of the project.

“We are thankful for this grant and the opportunities it will provide to develop the airport for the next 10–15 years,” Harrison said. “After careful collaboration with the airport board, city council, county commission, ALDOT Aeronautics, the FAA, and our engineers, we have a good project that will help our entire community continue to advance forward and meet the ever-changing needs in aviation.”

Albertville Regional will receive $939,038 to replace aging runway and taxiway lighting on Runway 5/23 and Taxiway A, both of which have reached the end of their service life.

“These grants will help ensure that local airports continue to meet modern safety standards and serve the needs of the community,” Aderholt said. “Airports like Cullman and Albertville are vital assets for rural areas, supporting both economic development and emergency services.”

The Airport Infrastructure Grant program was established under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support critical improvements in airport safety, capacity, and sustainability. Grants are distributed annually by the FAA to eligible airports nationwide.

The grants to the Cullman and Albertville Airports come as Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has called for a massive investment of billions of dollars in the country’s air traffic control system. 

“In essence, all the front-facing equipment for controllers, all the back-end systems for controllers, all brand new,” Duffy said. “All new hardware, all new software, is going to be built into this brand-new air traffic control system.”

Duffy has asked Congress for “upfront appropriations” to renew the current, antiquated system.