PEKIN, Ill. – U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos says two million dollars in federal and mostly state money going to the Pekin Municipal Airport is as important as money going to airports like Peoria’s.
“The money that we passed in Congress…you see it in real life when you come to a place like this,” said Bustos (D-East Moline). “Now, these underground fuel tanks will be replaced. They needed to be replaced. You’ve got a new entry way that will go into the hangars that will be replaced as a result of this money.”
While most of the money came from the state’s Rebuild Illinois program, some is part of the federal infrastructure recently signed into law.
Bustos Thursday toured the Pekin airport and got a look at some of the specialty aircraft there. She says what is now believed to be a $9 million economic impact for Pekin, could now grow to as much as $25 million over time.
Pekin Mayor Mark Luft says the money will be a big help in trying to land a new business at the airport, in addition to the infrastructure work.
“One of the big accomplishments is that we were able to sustain a dealership here for a plane that is manufactured out of Latvia,” said Luft. “And, it came down to a community in California, and here in Pekin. We were able to get it here.”
Luft says if sales of the aircraft go well, it’s possible the Pekin Airport could play home to a manufacturing facility for the aircraft.
Pictured is Rep. Bustos in one of those aircraft.
