WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Benjamin L. Cardin announced today that Tipton Airport will receive a U.S. Department of Transportation grant of $1.6 million to make it more suitable for commercial use. Tipton Airport, a former military airfield, is located adjacent to Ft. Meade.

In 1999, Anne Arundel County created the Tipton Airport Authority as a public corporation to own and operate the airport. The federal grant will fund the rehabilitation of the runway and Hangar 90 to make them more suitable for civilian commercial use. The project is expected to start construction in the fall and will take at least 18 months to complete.

"This federal grant will help Tipton become an economically viable airport, providing economic opportunities for Anne Arundel County residents and businesses. It’s a prime example of how we can successfully transform a former military facility into a community asset," said Rep. Cardin, whose congressional district includes Tipton.

Tipton is a former U.S. Army airfield that was designated for privatization by the 1988 Base Realignment & Closure Act and closed in 1995. The 366-acre airport includes a 3,000-foot-long runway and four hangars.