U.S. Sen. Collins announces $3.2M for Jackman airport

JACKMAN — U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, chairman of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, announced that Newton Field Airport in Jackman has been awarded $3,200,000 to extend the runway to accommodate ambulance air service by LifeFlight of Maine. This funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP).

“Maine’s airports are vital pieces of our state’s infrastructure that play a critical role not only in transportation and job creation, but also to provide medical services for those in rural communities in emergencies when seconds count,” said Collins. “This funding will allow Newton Field Airport to make much-needed improvements to their runway, enhancing the safety and efficiency of operations and benefitting residents and visitors to Jackman.”

“While the realities of healthcare finance may not support an advanced medical facility in a community like Jackman, LifeFlight can help fill that void with a runway that allows a flying hospital to arrive right where it is needed, and on a moment’s notice,” said Joshua Dickson, FP-C, aviation systems coordinator for LifeFlight of Maine. “We will continue working toward becoming a national leader in cost effective rural healthcare delivery, and we thank Sen. Collins for her support of LifeFlight, rural aviation and the people of Maine.”

In May Collins announced that Newton Field Airport had been awarded $1.05 million for the first phase of work to the runway.

As chairman of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, Collins was instrumental in securing $3.8 billion for AIP, including $450 million in supplemental AIP grants, in the fiscal year 2020 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill that passed the Senate in October.