The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded $247,270 to the City of Brookings, Sen. John Thune, R-S .D., announced Friday.

The funding will help pay for replacing snow removal equipment and conducting an environmental impact study for the Brookings Regional Airport.

"Snow removal equipment is necessary to maintain airport functions during winter months," said Thune. "This funding will keep pilots and passengers safe while using the Brookings Regional Airport and fund a study to analyze the environmental impact of future development ."

An environmental assessment is now being conducted as part of the airport's Dual Track study, which will help city officials decide later this year whether to realign runways at the airport's current site or move the entire facility southeast of Brookings.

Thune serves on the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, which has primary jurisdiction over the nation's aviation system - including the funding allocated to airports across the country via the Aviation Trust Fund.

The FAA is a division within the U.S. Department of Transportation.