Series of grants to aid in airport improvements

Published on September 03, 2025

Three grants from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), totaling more than $1.2 million combined, are going to the Greeley-Weld County Airport. The grants, accepted by the Greeley-Weld County Airport Authority Board, Weld County Board of Commissioners and City of Greeley, will be used to offset a portion of the cost associated with recent and future improvements to the airport, making it better situated to handle greater air traffic and larger planes.

Specifically, funding will be used to continue constructing the Echo and Bravo Complex, a large-scale infrastructure project that began in the spring and recently saw the completion of major ramp reconstruction, something that’s led to many benefits, according to Greeley-Weld County Airport Director Cooper Anderson. He said the airport’s new ramp and layout better accommodate parking needs for heavier aircraft. Traffic flow and separation have also improved, enhancing safety. Phase one of the Echo and Bravo Taxiway Complex is also expected to be complete by October.

The newly awarded grants come from the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) Program. The Greeley-Weld County Airport Authority Board, which oversees administration of the airport, will receive:

• An $850,000 AIP grant, which will be utilized for design costs of the Echo and Bravo Taxiway Complex.
• A $150,000 AIP grant, to go toward costs related to the recently completed major ramp reconstruction project.
• A $282,000 AIG grant, which will also go toward costs related to the major ramp reconstruction project.

“Investments like these continue to position the airport as an economic driver in the region, with a focus on the communities we serve,” Anderson said. “We are grateful for the partnership of Weld County, the City of Greeley, and our congressional delegation in helping advance these priorities.”

Anderson said more improvements are planned, including the construction of air traffic control facilities, strengthening of runways and taxiways and electrical system upgrades. 

The grants come nearly a year after Weld County and the City of Greeley entered into an intergovernmental agreement for airport improvements. Each entity agreed to contribute $5 million toward the cost.

“Given the improvements we’ve seen already, we’re excited about the future of this airport,” said Kevin Ross, Weld County Commissioner and Chair of the airport authority board. “These grants will be a great help toward our goals.”