FAA The Federal Aviation Administration awarded a grant totaling more than $1.6 million to the Lee County Port Authority for the design of a new Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting facility at Southwest Florida International Airport, it was announced today.

Airports rely on grant dollars, which are awarded through a nationwide priority system, to provide needed infrastructure and improvements. The competition for these limited dollars is intense, with priority given to projects that enhance safety and increase airport capacity on a national level, officials said.

Southwest Florida International Airport served more than 7.6 million passengers in 2008 and is one of the top 50 busiest U.S. airports for passenger traffic. No ad valorem (property) taxes are used for airport operation or construction.