Santa Fe–Beginning July 1, 2013, Belen Alexander Municipal Airport, and 53 other public airports serving communities throughout the state, will be eligible to receive additional funding to make improvements to their infrastructure, pavement maintenance and rehabilitation, general aviation terminals, and lighting projects. Senate Bill 2, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Michael S. Sanchez (D-29-Bernalillo, Valencia) reinstates a revenue stream from the gross receipts tax that expired on June 30, 2012.
The public airport facilities (including 54 airports, four heliports, and one seaplane base) provide essential emergency services, including medical air transport, firefighting services, homeland security, law enforcement and weather and fuel emergencies to communities across the state. It is estimated that the airports account for over 48,000 jobs, have a payroll of $1.3 billion, and have an output of $3.2 billion. The department of transportation anticipates using the funding from the bill to leverage 90% federal aviation administration grants for airports throughout the state.
“This bill will have a positive economic impact on Belen and Valencia County,” said Sen. Sanchez. “Providing adequate funding for a facility that serves such an integral connection between our local businesses and residents is crucial for our community. We all benefit when our airport is properly maintained.”
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