Holley Cochran / The Prentiss Headlight—The Prentiss Jefferson Davis County Airport has received a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration for improvement funding and infrastructure improvement.

The Federal Aviation Administration has awarded Mississippi with a total of $21.48 million in 52 grants for airports in Mississippi.

These funds will support critical improvements such as runway construction, lighting, signage and terminal improvements to ensure the continued efficiency and safety of the national airspace system.

“Upgrading local air travel is an investment in the future of Mississippi,” said Sen. Roger Wicker.

“This funding will bring necessary advancements to our airport systems and provide more business opportunities for Mississippians. I look forward to these improvements being made to spur economic development in our great state,” he said.

The Prentiss Jefferson Davis County Airport received $600,000 for airport improvement funding and $110,000 for airport infrastructure funding.

“In recent years, with the valued support of the Federal Aviation Administration and Sen. Roger Wicker, we’ve completed several major infrastructure projects, including the construction of new hangars, a modern terminal building, a navigation beacon and upgraded airfield lighting,” said Prentiss Mayor Charley Dumas.

For fiscal year 2025, the attention has been turned to the runway itself.

“The upcoming project will include a hot mix asphalt overlay and new striping, both essential in order to maintain a safe, efficient, and reliable airfield for the pilots and visitors who use our airport,” he said.

After bids were accepted and reviewed, Dickerson and Bowen construction company from Brookhaven won the contract totaling just over $500,000 to complete the work.