City of Commerce nears completion of airport improvements

Commerce Mayor Dr. John Ballotti says improvements to the Commerce Municipal Airport runway are nearly complete.  The mayor says along with the resurfacing of the runway the city has realized that, at 3,900 feet, the runway is long enough for small jets to land at the airport.  The city had intended to seek a grant to extend the runway, but Ballotti says the city will now seek a grant from the Texas Department of Transportation to build hangars at the airport.  The mayor says the city will also seek a new state grant to replace two substandard homes with new homes for qualifying families in the next year.  The city has replaced 28 homes under similar grants over the past 12 years, Ballotti says.