The Selma Times-Journal

Improvements to the aircraft parking apron at Craig Field are on the way.

Congressman Artur Davis, D-Ala., announced this week a Federal Aviation Administration grant totaling $444,963 would be given to Craig Field. The grant to the Dallas County-based airport was one of several in the Black Belt that totaled $1.7 million.

Judge John W. Jones Jr., vice chairman of the Craig Field Airport and Industrial Authority Board of Directors, praised the Alabama congressional delegation for its work.

Davis is interested in economic development, said Jones, specifically at Craig.

Menzo Driskell, executive director of the authority, said the parking apron, which takes up nearly 70 acres, was poured during the 1950s and 1960s in concrete squares to control cracking.

A special filler injected between the blocks has oozed out over the years because it became hot, Driskell said. Rainwater seeps in as the filler comes out, causing some of the corners of the squares to pop off.

The work will call for taking out the filler material and replacing damaged squares.

Other areas receiving FAA grants include Aliceville, Butler, Camden and Jackson counties.

In a prepared statement Davis said, &8220;Our office remains committed to ensuring the development of our regional airports in the district. We appreciate what these facilities mean, not only to the surrounding communities, but to our state&8217;s overall economic development as well.&8221;