Anniston, AL – The City of Anniston has been awarded an $18,492,378 federal grant to improve the primary runway at Anniston Regional Airport, a project intended to support operations associated with Anniston Army Depot while upgrading aviation infrastructure serving the region.
The funding comes through the Defense Community Infrastructure Program, administered by the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation. The federal program provides competitive grants for community infrastructure projects that support nearby military installations. Federal officials announced 26 fiscal year 2026 awards totaling approximately $230 million nationwide.
Anniston’s grant will fund approximately 96.9% of the $19,092,378 runway improvement project. According to the federal award announcement, the project is specifically intended to improve the airport’s primary runway in support of Anniston Army Depot.
U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Saks, whose district includes Calhoun County, provided a statement to the Calhoun Journal regarding the award.
“These funds will greatly improve the Anniston Airport’s ability to serve the Anniston Army Depot and Calhoun its surrounding counties. As Chairman of the Armed Serviced Committee, I was proud to advocate for this grant.
“Thank you to the Department of War for continuing their investments in the defense industrial base in Alabama!” Rogers said.
Anniston Mayor Ciara Smith-Roston said city officials have been working to expand the role the airport can play both locally and regionally.
“We have been working really hard to reimagine what our Anniston Regional Airport can be, not just for Anniston, but for this entire region,” Smith-Roston said. “Our relationship with the Anniston Army Depot and Anniston Munitions has played an enormous role in that. We are working to make sure our airport is sustainable, economically viable, and able to support the needs of our community and our defense partners.”
Smith-Roston also credited City Manager Matthew Caballero, Economic Development Director and Airport Manager Aaron Norris and the Anniston City Council for their work on the project.
“There is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes to get to this point, and I have to give credit to our City Manager, Matthew Caballero, and our Economic Development Director and Airport Manager, Aaron Norris. They have worked hard to move this vision forward,” Smith-Roston said. “I also want to thank the Anniston City Council for believing in this vision and supporting us every step of the way. It takes all of us working together to accomplish a task this grand.”
“I am proud of the team we have and where we are headed,” she added. “We have a lot more work to do, but I truly believe this is only the beginning for the Anniston Regional Airport.”
According to the city, the runway project builds on the airport’s existing role in supporting military traffic associated with Anniston Army Depot.
An Alabama Department of Transportation economic-impact study published in December 2020 and based on data collected during 2018 and 2019 estimated that airport-related activity supported approximately $4.57 million in annual economic activity, $1.28 million in annual payroll and 44 jobs, including indirect and induced employment. Those figures predate the newly announced federal investment and provide a historical baseline rather than a projection of the project’s future economic impact.
City officials have said improvements to the primary runway could position the airport to pursue additional aviation activity, including aviation businesses, fueling services and hangar use, while potentially generating additional spending at area hotels, restaurants and other businesses.
Anniston Regional Airport is a state-certified, unlimited-use general aviation facility located near Interstate 20 and highways 431, 21 and 78. The airport’s asphalt runway measures 7,002 feet long and 150 feet wide, and the facility includes more than 500,000 square feet of paved apron and ramp space. Services include hangars, aircraft tie-downs, flight instruction and aviation fuel.
The Defense Community Infrastructure Program supports infrastructure projects that address needs connected to military installations, including transportation, emergency response facilities and utilities.
According to the federal announcement, Anniston was one of two Alabama communities receiving fiscal year 2026 funding through the program. Huntsville received $10.8 million toward a $16.2 million transportation-access project supporting Redstone Arsenal.
Additional information about the Anniston project’s construction schedule is expected as planning and required project steps move forward.
More information about Anniston Regional Airport is available through the City of Anniston’s airport page.
