By Ethan Faverino |
Congressman Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06) highlighted a $1.6 million federal investment aimed at moving forward the long-planned construction of an air traffic control tower at Pinal Airpark.
Ciscomani visited the airpark last Thursday to discuss the funding and the next steps toward developing a dedicated tower at the facility, which currently operates without one.
The preliminary funding will help cover several stages of the project, including selecting a site, completing environmental reviews, developing the tower’s design, and beginning early construction-related work.
“Since 2023, I have worked in Congress to deliver an air traffic control tower to Pinal Airpark,” stated Congressman Ciscomani. “As Arizona’s only appropriator in the House or Senate, I have a unique responsibility to bring meaningful federal investments back home. This $1.6 million represents a major step toward building a tower that will enhance safety, support continued growth, and unlock new economic opportunities for Pinal County.”
The effort to bring a tower to Pinal Airpark has been a priority for Ciscomani since he entered Congress.
In 2023, he successfully secured language in the federal aviation reauthorization package intended to accelerate the process for developing an air traffic control tower at the airpark.
That provision was included in the House-passed FAA reauthorization legislation, helping lay the groundwork for the project now receiving federal funding.
The need for improved air traffic control infrastructure comes as Pinal Airpark continues to handle significant activity. According to the funding announcement, the facility accommodates more than 100,000 commercial and military flight operations annually.
Without a dedicated control tower, the airpark faces operational and safety challenges that could also affect its ability to accommodate future growth.
Pinal County Supervisor Stephen Miller credited Ciscomani with helping advance the project and pointed to its potential impact beyond aviation.
“Representative Ciscomani has led successful efforts in Congress to advance approval, design and construction of an air traffic control tower at Pinal Airpark to enhance aviation safety, strengthen military readiness, and drive job creation and economic growth throughout the region,” said Miller. “We are deeply grateful for Representative Ciscomani’s leadership and support in moving this critical project forward.”
The tower project also comes as Ciscomani seeks to bring additional federal dollars to Arizona’s Sixth Congressional District. Through this year’s federal funding bills, he is pursuing approximately $42.7 million for 20 projects throughout the district.
The Pinal Airpark funding is part of a broader effort to direct federal investment toward local infrastructure and development projects.
Ciscomani also highlighted the funding and partnership with Marana during an interview with KVOI.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
