Farmingville, NY - Supervisor Ed Romaine has announced that the Town of Brookhaven has been awarded a $54,772 New York State Aviation Capital Grant to purchase a crack-sealing machine for Brookhaven Calabro Airport. The state-funded program provides $20.5 million in funding for 29 airport projects and supports strategic investments at public-use airports across New York to ensure safety, modernize aviation-related facilities, leverage private investment, and sustain and create well-paying aeronautical-related jobs. The funding is included in the $21.1 billion five-year State Transportation Plan. Projects funded under this initiative include security checkpoint enhancements; acquisition of ground service and maintenance equipment; terminal modernization and expansion; and construction of airplane hangar facilities. The total cost of the crack sealing machine is $60,802, of which $6,080 will be paid by the Town as a 10% applicant match.
“The safety of the people who use the airport is our number one priority,” said Supervisor Ed Romaine. “I commend Governor Cuomo for recognizing the need to invest in local airport infrastructure. This grant will allow the Town to properly maintain the runways and keep them safe for years to come,”
The Town of Brookhaven’s Division of General Aviation operates and maintains the Brookhaven Calabro Airport, located on 600 acres in Shirley. Originally known as Mastic Flight Strip, the airport was constructed during World War II to provide logistical support for U.S. Army Air Corps operations. Following the war, title of the airport was transferred to New York State. The Town of Brookhaven acquired the Airport in 1961 and later renamed it to honor the memory of Dr. Frank Calabro, an important figure in the development of this facility.