Abilene wins $30 million in FAA commitments for terminal project, council accepts SALOI

The City of Abilene accepted a Small Airport Letter of Intent (SALOI) and discretionary FAA funding commitments that together total $30 million toward the airport terminal project, city transportation staff said.

Don Green, director of transportation services, explained the SALOI included $10 million to be distributed over five years and that FAA had increased a discretionary FY26 grant from an earlier $17.5 million figure to $20 million, bringing the total SALOI commitment to $30 million. Green said local actions — including a $20 million bond passed by voters in May 2025 and outreach to the congressional delegation — helped secure the discretionary grant. "Abilene was the only airport in the nation to apply for this funding tool this year," Green said, noting the SALOI was newly available to smaller airports and that the additional discretionary grant will accelerate terminal project phases. Council accepted the SALOI and discretionary grant.