A small, regional airport in northern Alabama will get $3.2 million in federal funding to support an expansion project, officials announced today.

The money will go to Pryor Field Regional Airport, said Decatur Mayor Tab Bowling in a press release today. The money is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Grants-in-Aid for Airports program included in the federal funding bill, which President Biden signed into law on March 9.

Adam Fox, the director at Pryor Field, said the funding will go toward the facility’s expansion.

“This funding will allow us to start the first phase of our southeast taxiway, which will allow full access to airport property for future developments,” he said in the statement released by Mayor Bowling.

The Mayor noted that U.S. Rep. Dale Strong, R-Huntsville, helped secure the $3.2 million airport funding.

“We are thrilled with this funding, and greatly appreciate Rep. Strong’s work in securing it for us,” Bowling said in the statement. “For our economy to thrive, we need efficient infrastructure for businesses to get goods and people in and out of our area. A strong airport – along with our river, road, and rail connectivity – is another key to Decatur’s economic success.”

Strong said the airport is a significant infrastructure.

“I’m honored to work to secure funds for key projects and initiatives throughout north Alabama,” Strong said in the statement. “The enhancements that these funds will provide will enable Pryor Field to better serve the businesses and residents of our growing region.”