On August 4, the Snohomish County Council accepted a federal grant worth nearly $8 million for repairs at the county airport, also known as Paine Field. Combined with $11 million received in June from federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds, the airport will make major improvements to the airport's main runway and taxiway system.

"Improvements to the runway are good for the local economy," said Gossett. "Paine Field is an integral part of this state's aerospace industry. This needed construction will also provide local jobs."

Since June 2009, the airport has been using ARRA funding to begin repairing the primary runway and the south portion of parallel Taxiway Alpha. The additional $7.9 million from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will allow that work to continue on the north part of Taxiway Alpha.

"This work is essential for major aerospace companies like Boeing and Aviation Technical Services," said Gossett. "These are the runways and taxiways they use."

Runway 16R-34L is the main jet runway at Paine Field and is the only runway that supports the large aircraft manufactured by Boeing as well as aircraft refurbished at Aviation Technical Services (ATS). The runway was last paved in 1996 and is beginning to deteriorate. Taxiway Alpha (repaved 25 years ago) parallels the runway and is the only connector taxiway that Boeing and ATS use for their flight operations.

The total cost of the project is more than $20 million and is expected to be completed with the receipt of additional FAA Airport Improvement Program grants during the next few years.