P-J photo by Dennis Phillips Both the Dunkirk and Jamestown airports will receive $790,000 in funding from the $1 trillion infrastructure bill that was signed into law Monday.

Almost $800,000 in funding will be allocated toward both county airports following the signing of the $1 trillion infrastructure bill Monday.

On Tuesday, Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., announced statewide airport allocations in the federal bill, which included $790,000 for both the Dunkirk and Jamestown airports.

County Executive PJ Wendel said there are future projects at both airports, but, at this time, doesn’t know exactly how the federal funding will be used.

“We appreciate the money coming from the infrastructure bill. We will put it to good use,” he said. “We will look into all of our options and make sure we use this funding wisely.”

Generally speaking about how the funding could be spent at the airports, Wendel said one example is to pay for a cost overage on a hangar replacement project at the Dunkirk Airport. He said, if allowed, some of the infrastructure funding could go toward covering the overage caused by an increase in the cost of the hangar project from the time it was proposed to its construction.

Wendel said other possible uses for the federal funding could be to invest in tee hangars, which other airports are doing. He also said the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency is developing a strategic plan for the Jamestown Airport.

“The funding could be used for items in the strategic plan,” he said.

How much funding the county will receive for other infrastructure is not known yet. Wendel said county officials met with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., office a few weeks ago to discuss water, sewer and broadband projects in the county. He said preliminary figures on possible future county infrastructure projects were provided to Gillibrand’s staff.

Wendel said one of the best aspects of the infrastructure bill is the money is being funded directly to municipalities and counties.

“That money is coming directly to Chautauqua County,” he said. “I urged Sen. Gillibrand’s office that a critical piece, like with the (American Rescue Plan funding), is to give that money directly to us. It’s a step in the right direction.”

Wendel said another positive about the passing of the infrastructure bill is that some of the American Rescue Plan funding county officials had planned to use toward infrastructure projects could go elsewhere because of future allocations from the $1 trillion bill.

“This allows us to free up what was already proposed with the (American Rescue Plan) funding,” he said. “(The federal infrastructure bill) will extend our (American Rescue Plan) funding that we received.”

Schumer said the infrastructure bill delivers huge investment for the state and will advance critical projects–from fixing bridges in Rochester, to bolstering buses and transportation in Syracuse, ensuring clean environments in the Hudson Valley and Great Lakes, improving the airport in Albany, securing life-saving limo safety measures, and expanding internet accessibility in the Southern Tier and Mohawk Valley.

Schumer said upon President Biden’s signature these funds will ensure the bedrock of New York – its infrastructure, from the subway system, to water and sewers to roads and bridges – gets long-awaited investments and relief needed to meet growing demands, boost the economy while safely and responsibly moving both people and goods across the state and beyond.

“The bipartisan infrastructure is a record deal and a once-in-a-generation investment in New York infrastructure. A building and jobs boon for construction projects from Westchester to Watertown, and everywhere in between is now brewing,” Schumer said. “Whether it’s our mass transit system, critical bridges or highway repairs, fixing our subway tunnels, safety improvements at our airports, bridging the digital divide, or ensuring clean drinking water for all, this bill will rebuild and revive the Empire State’s infrastructure and create good-paying jobs for communities that need it most. As Majority Leader, I am proud to have led this historic bill to passage that will deliver the largest federal investment in public transit and infrastructure in New York’s history so that we can continue to build back better. “