Repair/rehabilitate/modernize sponsor owned FAA contract tower

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Western Pacific Region awarded County of Merced a $200,000 Project Grant on August 22, 2025, under the Airport Improvement Program (CFDA 20.106) to repair, rehabilitate, and modernize a sponsor-owned FAA contract tower serving airports associated with Atwater, California. This project qualifies for expanded eligibility under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) of 2021, which provides federal funding for modernizing airport infrastructure nationwide. The work will be performed in Atwater, CA 95301, with an ultimate completion date of August 21, 2029.

The grant funds the modernization of air traffic control tower infrastructure to support the FAA's strategic objectives of safety and operational excellence. Contract tower modernization projects under the FAA Contract Tower Program typically include construction, repair, rehabilitation, and equipment upgrades for non-approach control towers, along with acquisition and installation of air traffic control and communications systems. Upon project completion, County of Merced will be required to maintain airport layout plans and retain accounting records for the prescribed retention periods, while submitting periodic progress reports detailing project bidding, contract awards, work commencement, and completion milestones to the FAA.

Activities and expected outcomes

This project modernizes a sponsor owned, federal aviation administration contract tower. This project is allowable under the infrastructure investment and jobs act's expanded eligibility. Intended beneficiary: this grant will provide federal funding for airports associated with atwater, california.