Corpus Christi International Airport (CCIA) is getting just shy of $9 million dollars from the federal government to make improvements.

Transportation Secretary Elain L. Chao said on Tuesday that officials granted more than $1 billion dollars in total funds to airports around the country to help improve terminals and airport infrastructure.

CCIA’s share of that comes out to $8.8 million dollars. It is the third largest grant handed to an airport in Texas, behind Fort Worth Alliance ($15.8 million) and Austin Bergstrom ($11 million). Fort Worth will have to use their share for noise mitigation and to extend a runway. Austin’s share will go towards terminal improvements.

Here in Corpus Christi, the funds will be used to purchase a new firefighting/aircraft rescue vehicle and for apron improvements.

In total there were 405 airports listed that received the money from the government across 50 states and 6 territories.

Matt Pierce Briscoe filed this report.