Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced Thursday that the United States Department of Transportation's (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FFA) has awarded three grants to county governments in Columbiana, Coshocton, and Perry counties totaling $1.2 million.

The funds will be used to help make necessary repairs to airports and their critical infrastructure.

DOT funds include:

 - $620,000 grant to the Columbiana County Airport Authority and County Commissioners to rehabilitate 2,000 feet of existing taxiway to maintain structural integrity at the Columbiana County Airport

 - $219,000 grant to the Coshocton County Regional Airport Authority and County Commissioners to conduct 6,300 feet of crack sealing and joint repair on existing an existing runway and taxiway at Richard Downing Airport.

 - $362,000 grant to the Perry County Commissioners to reconstruct existing lighting systems that have reached the end of their useful life at the Perry County Airport.

"Ohio airports are vital to supporting travel and commerce in the state," said Brown. "These investments will help to ensure the safety of Southeast Ohio airports for passengers for years to come."