Carson Airport gets grant

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., Tuesday announced a $1.27 million federal grant for the Carson Airport.

Airport manager Tim Rowe said the money will not only upgrade safety at the airport but clear the way for expansion of hanger and business space.

Reid said the Federal Aviation Administration grant will pay to complete construction of the taxiway on the north side of the runway.

"Carson City Airport with its proximity to Lake Tahoe is crucial to thousands of jobs and the economic vitality of the region," he said.

Rowe said the project will allow aircraft to exit their hangers on a much easier path and open up the center triangle area of the field "for a lot more development."

The big project, he said, was the $10 million realignment and extension of the runway completed a couple of years ago.

"The runway was realigned and completely repaved - and lengthened also," he said. "The corporate jets we've got coming in now, lengthening the runway has really produced more traffic."

He said completing the taxiway will draw more corporate planes to Carson.

"As soon as the FAA gives us the go-ahead, we're gong to start construction," he said.

In addition, Reid announced a $315,000 grant for Nevada Industry Excellence, a program that works with Nevada businesses to improve their global competitiveness.

"These resources will allow businesses in our state to access the tools they need to become more competitive in the global economy and put Nevadans back to work," he said.

He said the money will give "a much needed boost to the state's small and medium sized manufacturing firms."