The Alabama Department of Transportation recently announced it has awarded over $700,000 in state funding to 13 local airports for improvements, including Gulf Shores International Airport/Jack Edwards Field.

The local airport will receive $46,647 from the Federal Aviation Administration and $2,591 from a state grant to improve runway safety. The airport will provide $2,592 in matching local funds for a total value project of $51,830.

These grants are made possible through ALDOT's Alabama Airport Improvement Funding Program. Through the program, ALDOT can provide financial assistance and other engineering or technical services to airport owners regarding the acquisition, construction, expansion, maintenance or operation of public airport facilities. ALDOT anticipates awarding approximately $8 million in state funds to Alabama's various local airports during the 2024 fiscal year.

The FAA awarded the airport $5 million in June, with Gulf Shores agreeing to match the funds and making up to $3 million available for the project's completion as a loan from the city to the authority. City Administrator Jon Walker said at the time the city had put out bids for construction of the terminal.

The city hopes to break ground this fall — in June officials said August or September — and see services come online next fall.