Saturday, February 5, 2005
Double Eagle Gets Funds for Upgrades
Journal Staff Report
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded a $201,184 grant for upgrades to Double Eagle II Airport.
Funds will be used to help bring electricity and natural gas to the airport, which is undergoing improvements to become a center for economic development in Albuquerque.
"It is important to ensure that Double Eagle II airport is ready to accommodate Eclipse Aviation when they move into their new home in Albuquerque," said Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., in a prepared statement Thursday.
Bingaman helped secure the funding in a 2003 spending bill and has also worked to secure millions for other airport-related expenses, such as road and runway improvements and construction of a new control tower.
Last year, the airport received a $3.13 million grant from the Federal Aviation Administration to begin runway improvements to the airport as part its phase II project.
Eclipse plans to open a production facility at the West Side airport in 2009 in a 300-acre Aerospace Technology Park.
Eclipse currently employs 380 people in Albuquerque.
Additionally, two other aviation firms have announced plans to manufacture jets at the airport.
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