Grant awarded to Portales airport

The Federal Aviation Administration has awarded more than $1 million in federal grants to New Mexico airports, including $150,000 to Portales Municipal Airport to perform pavement sealing and crack repair of the existing taxiway.

Airports in Carlsbad, Deming, Gallup and Hatch also received funds for runway infrastructure improvements.

The FAA has also awarded $750,000 to the Roswell Air Center as a revenue guarantee and marketing program to facilitate a future United Airlines direct service to Denver, Colorado.

“New Mexico’s regional airports are critical transportation lifelines for our state’s rural economies and communities,” U.S. Sen. Tom Udall said in a statement.

“As travel to and from New Mexico continues to increase, residents and visitors will increasingly rely on our regional airports — and this infrastructure and marketing funding will help them support New Mexico’s economic success,” he said.