To: Board of County Commissioners
Through: Michelle Halstead, Director, Commissioners’ Office
Prepared By:
prepared
Lauren Wiarda, Director of Planning and Development, Centennial Airport
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Subject:
title
Ratification of Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Grant for the Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority
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Purpose and Request:
recommended action
The Board is requested to ratify the Chair’s signature on a Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) distributed through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) from the Federal Aviation Administration, grant AIP 3-28-0029-065-2026.
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Alignment with Strategic Plan: Sustainable Growth and Infrastructure - Prioritize capital improvement projects (CIP) including deferred maintenance.
Background and Discussion: The Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority Board (ACPAA) requested approval of a Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) distributed through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) from the Federal Aviation Administration at a study session on February 17, 2026. The Board approved acceptance of the grant and authorized the Chair to sign the grant. Because the grant deadline was March 6, 2026, the Board authorized the Chair to sign before that deadline and ratify the signature at the March 10, 2026, business meeting.
AIP 3-28-0029-065-2026 is a Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) distributed through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) from the Federal Aviation Administration. The grant will cover additional remaining costs associated with the rehabilitation of Taxiways C and D and rehabilitation of the electrical lighting on Taxiway D.
At the February 12, 2026, ACPAA Board Meeting, Airport staff recommended approval of the grant agreement for AIP Grant 3-08-0029-065-2026. See the attached grant agreement.
The 2026 Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant assurances do not include the controversial grant conditions associated with the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 (Public Law number (P.L.) 118-63).
Alternatives: The Board could elect not to ratify the grant agreement. However, should the grant agreement not be signed within a reasonable timeframe, the Airport will have to find alternative methods of funding for the remainder of the project improvements stated above.
Fiscal Impact: AIP grant agreement funds for 3-08-0029-065-2026 will cover 95% of the remainder of the project up to $675,000. The Airport Authority will be responsible for the remaining 5% match which is included in the 2026 budget.
Alignment with Strategic Implementation Strategies: N/A
Staff Recommendation: Airport staff recommends ratification of the AIP Grants 3-08-0029-065-2026 grant agreement.
Concurrence: Federal Aviation Administration