It was announced that the Western Reserve Port Authority will receive more than $8 million from the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation.

The Department of Defense awarded seventeen Defense Community Infrastructure Pilot Program (DCIP) grants from the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation, totaling approximately $100 million, with $8,028,000 going to the Mahoning Valley on Friday.

The funds will be used to resurface the taxiway at the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport and the home to the Youngstown Air Reserve Station (YARS), which according to the press release will enable improved training exercises, safer deployments and more rapid emergency response.

The Taxiway H runs over 9,000 feet long and connects the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport and the air reserve station (YARS). The taxiway has not been repaved in over 25 years.

Executive Director of the Port Authority, Anthony Trevena, called the resurfacing a 'critical project at YARS,' saying it will ensure ongoing support for military readiness and vital missions. 

According to Trevena, grants like this one are essential to keep the airport operating. 

Trevena said what put the airport in a good position to receive the funding was because of earlier government funding the facility received this passed July in the state budget bill. $3 million was granted to the airport from the state budget, which allowed the airport to put up 10 percent of the needed funds for the $8,028,000 grant. 

Upon the loss of commercial air service in 2018, the FAA significantly reduced the annual funding to the airfield. Because of this, YNG faced increasing challenges to maintain its infrastructure for current users, including the 910th Airlift Wing, corporate, charter, and general aviation users.

"Our region will greatly benefit from this grant," Rep. Bill Johnson said, "it will fulfill critical infrastructure needs at one of the largest economic drivers in the Mahoning Valley."

The repavement at the airport will begin sometime in 2024.