Deb Fischer
This week, I write to you with some good news for Nebraska’s airports – investments that matter for our economy, our communities, and our national security.
Back in April, I told you about $3.15 million in federal funding I helped secure for the Central Nebraska Regional Airport in Grand Island, which will go toward a new Snow Removal Equipment Building. In addition to serving travelers, it also supports the Nebraska Army National Guard. My team was proud to fight for that funding.
Now, I have even bigger news to share. Last fall, I learned that Lincoln Airport will receive a $41 million federal grant for the final phase of reconstructing Runway 18/36. This is one of the largest infrastructure investments in our airport’s history, and it’s been a long time coming. Runway 18/36 has an exceptional length that makes it uniquely suited for specialized military missions carried out primarily by the Nebraska National Guard in support of both state and national defense.
In the U.S. Senate, I sit on the Armed Services Committee and chair its Strategic Forces Subcommittee, which oversees U.S. Strategic Command based at Offutt Air Force Base. So, I know firsthand how important this runway is. This project supports critical STRATCOM operations — work that matters to Nebraska and our entire country.
Getting here took years of work. I met personally with FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford to make the case for this project. My office secured a commitment from the National Guard Bureau to help cover rebuild costs. I also included language in the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act recognizing the vital role installations like the Lincoln Air National Guard Base play in our nation’s nuclear deterrence mission.
This investment is good for commercial aviation and good for our military. It signals that Nebraska is open for business, connected to the rest of the country, and committed to keeping America safe.
Our airports are engines of economic opportunity across this state. They keep our communities connected, help attract employers, support tourism, and keep families close even when they live far apart. I will keep advocating for Nebraska’s airports and the communities they serve.
I’m grateful to the FAA and the National Guard for recognizing how important this project is, and I’m looking forward to seeing Runway 18/36 fully rebuilt and ready to serve Nebraska — and our nation — for decades to come.
Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.
Deb Fischer represents Nebraska in the United States Senate. Read her column in the Nance County Journal.