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Congresswoman Chellie Pingree announces $2.5 million in stimulus funding for Portland International Jetport
Investment will create jobs as part of multi-million dollar construction project

For immediate release
May 19, 2007
Contact: Willy Ritch 207-841-8400

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree announced $2.5 million in stimulus funding for the Portland International Jetport that will create jobs and help protect the local environment. The federal funding will allow the Jetport to begin work on a new concrete apron and install equipment to capture the deicing fluid that is sprayed on airplanes.

"The stimulus money is going to allow the Jetport to start capturing that deicing fluid instead of letting it run off into the Fore River," Pingree said. "And it will create some good local construction jobs at the same time."

Jetport Manager Paul Bradbury said the money is critical to the work that needs to take place at the Jetport. "I'm thrilled," Bradbury said. "We've been waiting and hoping to get this stimulus funding. It's critically important for us."

The project, which involves installing equipment and rebuilding a thick concrete runway apron, will go out to bid. Bradbury says these types of construction jobs have typically gone to Maine companies. Reed & Reed from Woolwich, Cianbro from Pittsfield and CPM from Freeport have been awarded these kind of contracts in the past. "Typically these type of jobs are the kind of larger construction jobs that go to a Maine company," Bradbury said.

When the project is completed the deicing fluid sprayed on planes will be captured, processed and recycled.

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