Local & Community
Riverside County Airports Awarded $8.5 Million in Federal Funding
Palm Springs International Airport is getting a federal boost as part of $8.5 million in new funding awarded to five Riverside County airports.
The U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration released a new round of Airport Improvement Program grants Monday, with the Riverside County funding supporting projects ranging from runway improvements to a new airport control tower.
Palm Springs International Airport will receive $140,600 for equipment acquisitions.
Hemet-Ryan Airport is receiving the largest share in the county, with $6.15 million designated for runway improvements.
French Valley Airport will receive $3.43 million to construct a new control tower. The airport currently operates as a non-controlled field, meaning pilots coordinate arrivals and departures without an airport tower. The future tower will be operated by contract air traffic controllers.
March Air Reserve Base is receiving $1.31 million for apron resurfacing.
Blythe Airport will receive two grants totaling $905,667 for apron rehabilitation and lighting improvements.
The funding is part of a nationwide round of 280 Airport Improvement Program grants. The FAA says the program supports projects involving runways, taxiways, airport lighting, signage and other infrastructure improvements.
Nationwide, the latest round represents about $3.77 billion in federal airport funding, with California receiving approximately $306.44 million.
For Palm Springs International, the new funding adds to a series of federal investments in the airport. The FAA has previously provided funding for projects at the airport, including terminal improvements.
The latest grants are intended to support airport infrastructure and safety improvements throughout Riverside County while helping maintain facilities used by commercial, general aviation and military aircraft.
Explore: NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the Valley.
By: NBC Palm Springs
September 16, 2026
Latest Instagram Posts
🛑A bike ride ended in tragedy Monday night in Palm Springs. A bicyclist died after being struck by a car around 8:30 PM on E. Palm Canyon Dr. The driver stayed at the scene and police say there’s no indication of foul play or impairment. ❓Saw the crash or have video from the area? Call Palm Springs police at (760) 327–1441.
Social Time: Jerry sings the end! 🎶🎵
CALIFORNIA IS AGING FAST... BUT WHERE WILL THE WORKFORCE LIVE? #therogginreport #coachellavalley #localnews #agingpopulation #nbcpalmsprings
119 jobs on the line and DRD’s General Manager won’t answer questions … Drop a comment 👇: Would you vote YES or NO on giving a district more money if they refuse to answer transparency questions? #therogginreport #drd #coachellavalley #localnews #nbcpalmsprings
Help us choose the next NBC Palm Springs Fan of the Week! Vote for Video 1, 2, 3 or 4. The fan with the most votes will win a pair of tickets to next week’s Coachella Valley Firebirds game! Voting ends Thursday. Who’s your pick?
Spirit Halloween has revealed its top Halloween costume trends for 2026, and pop culture is driving the picks. Off Campus, Toy Story, K-pop Demon Hunters, superheroes, Greek gods and warriors — and plenty of Dolly Partons — are expected to be popular. What are you dressing up as this Halloween? #Halloween2026 #SpiritHalloween #HalloweenCostumes #nbcpalmsprings
After a car drove through a walkway, damaging Bill’s Pizza, the restaurant appears to have begun repairs and is still open the following day. The neighboring store, Gallivant was also damaged and is closed until Monday. The store has a gofundme page opened for them by a neighboring bookstore to support the cost of the damages. NBC Palm Springs is following the effects of this accident and what this means to the Palm Springs community. #billspizza #palmsprings #continuingcoverage #localnews #coachellavalley
Researchers at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are using bioengineered baker's yeast to break down plastic into ingredients for cookies.
Camden, Arkansas, is the unlikely hub of US missile manufacturing after years of conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have drained the country's arsenal. But the Trump administration's push to scale up defense production is colliding with the limits of the small, rural town.
Who makes the NBC Top 3, winner will be announced Sunday night on NBC Palm Springs, with the player who makes the number one spot winning a $250 prize from @hondaofthedesert! Comment below if it will 1) Devin Session with the diving TD, 2) Mason Flores with the dot on the run, 3) Reese Johnson with the clutch FG, 4) Kaylaun Smith running over defenders, or 5) Joshua Perez with the TD throw. #hondaofthedesert #fnl #fridaynightlights #fyp #highschoolfootball