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Talbot County council approves FAA AIP grant application and backs $27 million congressional request for airport runway work

Talbot County Council · February 25, 2026

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Summary

The council authorized staff to apply for and accept the Federal AIP grant (baseline ~$6.7M this year) and approved county support for pursuing up to $27M in congressional funding to complete a shovel‑ready runway project; the county manager said the project is bid‑ready and has a contractor lined up.

The Talbot County Council approved two airport actions: authorization to apply for and accept the Federal Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant for this year’s project and authorization to pursue congressional funding of up to $27,000,000 to complete remaining runway construction.

Micah Richard, the county’s airport manager, told the council FAA district guidance suggests an award of approximately $6.7 million this year and that when combined with state and county match (roughly 5% each) the project would move forward on a roughly $8 million base package. "We are ready to go — contractor lined up, plans — every dollar they send to us we can put right to work immediately," Richard said. He told the council the full scope of work to finish the runway could total about $27,000,000 and that the county has worked with the congressional delegation, including Congressman Harris’ office, to tee up a congressional funding ask.

Council approved the motion to apply for and accept the AIP grant and subsequently approved staff requests to pursue congressional funding. Staff emphasized the difference between the district’s typical AIP award levels and the larger congressional ask: the AIP allocation keeps the project moving at a reduced pace, while congressional funds would be needed to finish the project more quickly by funding remaining bid alternates and ad‑alternates that would complete the work.

What comes next: Staff will proceed with the AIP application and coordinate with members of the federal delegation on the congressional funding request; county staff noted the single‑year AIP award does not guarantee full project completion without additional funding.