WASHINGTON — Congresswoman Yvette Herrell (R-N.M.) today announced the Department of Transportation awarded grants totaling $1,730,934 to nine airports in the Second Congressional District.

"The improvements made possible through this federal investment will help make commercial service and general aviation safer at airports across the second district," said Herrell. "These regional airports are important to our communities and I applaud local leaders on their successful grant applications."

The federal funding includes:

• $600,000 to Sierra Blanca Regional Airport in Ruidoso to reconstruct 6,300 feet of taxiway and 6,300 feet of runway
• $270,000 to Grants-Milan Municipal Airport to taxiway connector pavement

• $270,000 to Vaughn Municipal Airport to improve the runway safety area
• $208,434 to Cavern City Air Terminal in Carlsbad to reconstruct 5,380 feet of runway
• $135,000 to Lordsburg Municipal Airport to a new taxiway lighting system
• $135,000 to Artesia Municipal Airport to reconstruct 5,700 feet of taxiway
• $67,500 to Hatch Municipal Airport to reconstruct 15,000 square yards of general aviation apron pavement
• $45,000 each to Lea County-Zip Franklin Memorial Airport in Lovington and Lea County-Jal Airport to plan for the airports' future development