Port Of Benton

Port of Benton, a U.S. government port authority based in Richland, Washington, receives federal grants for airport infrastructure modernization and maintenance from the Federal Aviation Administration, operating exclusively as a grant recipient with no contract prime or subcontract exposure. The Port functions as a self-governing state government entity managing regional transportation assets and does not compete on federal contracts.

Port of Benton's federal grant portfolio centers entirely on airport infrastructure work at Richland Regional Airport and Prosser Airport in Washington State, funded through the FAA's Airport Improvement Program (CFDA 20.106) and related programs. The Port serves as the prime recipient on all 45 grants in the source data, with zero subcontract activity. Across the past five years (2022–2026), the Port has received an average of 2.4 awards annually, with three grants awarded in 2025 and one in the current year. The combined dollar volume across all recent awards totals $31 million.

The FAA's Northwest Mountain Region is the sole meaningful funding source, accounting for 42 of 45 awards (100% coverage by the two FAA line items combined). The Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration issued two grants, and the Department of Energy issued one. Recent representative grants include a $3.16 million formula grant (September 2025, CFDA 20.106) funding Phase 2 construction of runway, taxiway, and apron pavement reseal work, navigational aid installation (wind cones, precision approach path indicators), runway and taxiway lighting reconstruction, airfield guidance signs, and an airport lighting vault building reconstruction, with completion by September 2029. A $1.057 million project grant (June 2026, CFDA 20.106) funds Phase 2 apron expansion (6,040 square yards) to bring Richland airport into conformity with current FAA standards, completing May 2030. A $363,252 project grant (May 2025, CFDA 20.106) funds pavement resealing of 11,849 linear feet of taxiways, 8,417 linear feet of taxilanes, and 92,685 square yards of apron, completing May 2029. Earlier grants include American Rescue Plan Act economic relief for airport operations and personnel costs (2022) and navigational aids and lighting system work (2021, with 100% federal cost share).

The Port's activity has remained consistent at one to three awards per year. Only one award faces ultimate completion within the next twenty-four months, presenting minimal recompete exposure in that window. All work is performed at publicly owned airports in the Richland and Prosser, Washington area, with the Port serving as the grant administrator responsible for project execution, compliance reporting, and federal record-keeping throughout multi-year construction and design phases.