The following information was released by the office of New York Rep. Michael Arcuri:

Today, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) and U.S. Rep. Michael Arcuri (NY-24) sent a letter to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) J. Randolph Babbitt to request that the FAA expedite the review of two proposals by Oneida County for capital improvement projects as the Griffiss International Airport. Approval of the projects would allow the County to proceed with the projects, which will enable ongoing economic development initiatives.

"It is critical that we proceed with these much-needed upgrades as quickly as possible in order to continue the ongoing economic development that has been taking place at Griffiss Airport," said Schumer. "Oneida County has dedicated considerable time and resources into capital improvement projects at Griffiss Airport to make it more attractive to businesses and customers but the county cannot move forward with these projects without sign off from the FAA. That is why I am respectively urging Administrator Babbitt to quickly review these projects so that construction can begin."

"These upgrades and improvements at the Oneida County Airport will lead to further economic development and good jobs for the region," Arcuri said, "The sooner the FAA signs off on Oneida County's proposal, the sooner the work can begin that will allow the airport to attract new businesses with expanded services for years to come."

Since 2008, Oneida County has contracted with Million Air to provide general aviation services at the airport. Million Air hopes to expand its business at the airport to include refueling U.S. Military troop charter flights returning from overseas. The company has recently been awarded the Department of Defense (DOD) military fuel contract at Griffiss through 2012. However, for this initiative to move forward, the County must complete construction of an Airport Terminal Building in 2010 and construction of additional fuel storage and service facilities as soon as possible. Both of these capital projects are currently being reviewed by the FAA New York Airports District Office (NYDAO).

In an effort to continue the ongoing development at Griffis Airport, Schumer and Arcuri sent a letter at the request of Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente to FAA Administrator Babbitt asking him to expedite the review of the capital projects.