$50.6 Million for Memphis International Airport: Congressman Cohen Announces Delivery of 4 New Federal Grant Awards

MEMPHIS, TN — Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today announced the delivery of four major federal grants totaling $50.6 million for Memphis International Airport (MEM). The awards include $5 million in Community Project Funding Congressman Cohen secured together with Congressman David Kustoff (TN-08) for a new Snow Removal Equipment (SRE) facility, as well as three new FAA entitlement grants, partially funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), totaling more than $45.6 million for terminal modernization, facility rehabilitation, and taxiway safety improvements.

“I was proud to secure $5 million in Community Project Funding for Memphis International Airport, and I’m pleased to see it delivered alongside more than $45 million in additional FAA infrastructure grants,” said Congressman Cohen. “Together, these investments will extend the life of vital equipment, modernize passenger facilities, improve safety on our airfields, and keep our airport operating efficiently in all conditions. Memphis International Airport isn’t just the busiest cargo airport in North America, it’s a critical gateway for passengers and businesses. These federal resources strengthen our economy, support jobs, and ensure Memphis remains connected as a vital hub to the rest of the world.”

As a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Ranking Member of the House Aviation Subcommittee throughout 2024 and early 2025, Congressman Cohen played a key role in negotiating budgets and authorizing the federal aviation programs that are now delivering these major resources to Memphis and TN-09. Today, he is also Tennessee’s only member of Congress who voted in favor of the IIJA.

Today’s announcement includes four distinct federal awards for the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority:

• $5 million (FY24 Community Project Funding): To design and build a new SRE facility to house and protect snow removal machinery, extending equipment life and ensuring safe, efficient airport operations during winter weather.
• $21 million (FY25 Airport Infrastructure Grant): To rehabilitate and modernize key parts of the terminal building, including passenger circulation areas, ticketing, security checkpoints, mechanical and safety systems, and exterior upgrades. This funding supports Phase 6 of MEM’s terminal modernization program.
• $19.6 million (FY25 Airport Improvement Program): To reconstruct terminal systems, implement seismic sustainability upgrades, rehabilitate taxiways, replace outdated airfield signage and markings, and reconfigure access roads.
• $5 million (FY25 Airport Improvement Program): To realign and reconstruct a portion of Taxiway B by 45 degrees to enhance safety and efficiency.

Together, these four grants represent more than $50.6 million in new federal investment in Memphis International Airport, strengthening both passenger and cargo operations.

Snow Removal Equipment Facility – $5 Million (FY24 Community Project Funding)

The Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority will receive $5 million in Community Project Funding secured by Congressman Cohen to design and build a new Snow Removal Equipment (SRE) facility at Memphis International Airport. The funding was included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024.

The new facility will provide dedicated space to store and maintain the airport’s fleet of snow removal equipment, protecting it from winter weather, heat, and UV exposure, and extending the life of critical machinery. By improving the storage and readiness of this equipment, MEM will be better prepared to keep runways clear and operations running smoothly during severe weather. 

As a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and Ranking Member of the Aviation Subcommittee in 2024, Congressman Cohen requested this funding in coordination with Congressman David Kustoff (TN-08) as part of his slate of FY 2024 Community Project Funding requests. Now that the funding has been delivered, the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority will move forward with the design and construction of the new SRE facility. 

Terminal Modernization – $21 Million (Airport Infrastructure Grant)

The Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority will receive $21 million through the FAA’s Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) program, which was created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that Representative Cohen was the only Tennessee Representative to vote for. These funds will be used to continue work on Memphis International Airport’s terminal modernization program. This grant funds Phase 6 of the project, which includes rehabilitation and upgrades to passenger circulation areas, the ticketing hall, the security screening checkpoint, and the terminal exterior. It will also support replacement of aging mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire suppression systems and improve overall energy efficiency. 

These upgrades will help increase passenger throughput, modernize outdated infrastructure, and ensure that MEM’s terminal facilities can meet the needs of millions of travelers each year. 

Terminal and Airfield Rehabilitation – $19.6 Million (Airport Improvement Program)

The Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority will receive $19,576,935 through the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP) for a wide-ranging set of rehabilitation projects at Memphis International Airport. The award will support reconstruction of vertical circulation, ticketing, security screening, and terminal systems that have reached the end of their useful lives; seismic sustainability improvements; reconstruction of 1,332 feet of Taxiway A West; and replacement of 91 airfield signs and markings. 

This package of improvements will extend the life of critical facilities and airfield infrastructure, enhance safety, and maintain efficient passenger and cargo operations at MEM. 

Taxiway B Realignment – $5 Million (Airport Improvement Program)

The Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority will receive $5 million through the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP) to begin realignment of Taxiway B. Phase 1 of the project will reconstruct 190 feet of pavement and shift the taxiway by 45 degrees to enhance airfield safety. 

This improvement will modernize the airfield layout, reduce potential conflicts between aircraft, and support more efficient operations at MEM.
 

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