Northeast Alabama Regional Airport in Gadsden will be receiving several runway improvements, thanks in large part to federal and state grants.

Mayor Craig Ford Friday announced two grant offers from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) which will pay for up to 90% of a slate of upgrades to the airport’s main runway.

The main runway will get a new sealcoat, crack seal and remarking, thanks to a $861,278 grant through the Airport Improvement Program. A second FAA grant for $376,744 through the Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) will pay for the reconstruction of a 6,000-square foot portion of the runway that had developed some buckling.

The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) Aeronautics Division has also pledged $68,779 in matching funds to support the projects. The city will contribute the same amount as ALDOT in local funds.

Hi-Lite Airfield Services has been awarded the project bid by the airport authority, with work to begin soon. Because the Northeast Alabama Regional Airport has an additional 4,804-foot-long runway, most flights will continue as normal during construction, the city announced.

Recently, Gadsden hired Anthony Tarver from Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport to be the airport’s new manager in August.

Ford thanked Sens. Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville, as well as Congressman Robert Aderholt, for their help on the project.

“I cannot overstate the importance of our airport to the future of Gadsden and Etowah County,” Ford said.