For More Information:

Fran Strebing                                                                        Christina Mulka

Central Illinois Regional Airport                                             Senator Richard Durbin’s Office

309-663-7384                                                                     202-228-5643

                                                       Funding for Snow Removal Equipment headed to CIRA

Senator Durbin releases Notice of Grant Award

 ( August 11, 2009 Bloomington , IL ) Central Illinois Regional Airport at Bloomington-Normal (CIRA) is the recipient of $379,050.00 in federal funding to acquire snow removal equipment prior to the 2009/2010 winter season, according to a Notice of Grant Award released by United States Senator Dick Durbin (D, IL).  

 “Today’s grant will allow for smooth operations this winter at Central Illinois Regional Airport ,” said Durbin.  “This funding will help ensure that the airport can serve Central Illinois residents and visitors safely and efficiently.”

 Two pieces of equipment will be purchased with the proceeds from this grant; a wheel loader and a tractor, both manufactured by Moline , Illinois based John Deere.  They will be used to help clear the airfield during snow events at the airport. 

 Bloomington-Normal Airport Authority Chairman Paul Harmon welcomed the news. “Upgrades and additions to the airport’s snow removal equipment will assist us in our response to winter weather.  Improving our fleet and snow removal efficiency while also supporting an Illinois based manufacturer is a positive for the state of Illinois and we thank Senator Durbin, once again, for his assistance in securing this award.”

 The Central Illinois Regional Airport at Bloomington-Normal completed another record year in 2008 with a total of 532,870 passengers.  This was CIRA’s sixth consecutive year of increases in passenger traffic and its third straight year of record setting passenger numbers.  For more info rmation please visit www.cira.com.