ZELIENOPLE — The Zelienople Municipal Airport was awarded a $375,000 state grant Monday to build a fueling facility, according to state Sen. Elder Vogel, R-47th.

Airport manager Dave Holman said the fueling facility will be two 10,000-gallon tanks at the north side of the airport, one for jets and the other for smaller aircraft.

Both tanks will be above ground. The current underground tank will be removed.

“It’s still up to standards, but overall it’s not a good idea nowadays,” Holman said of the current tank underground.

The fuel in tank for jets will still be dispensed by service trucks, while the tank for smaller aircraft will be self-serve.

Holman said the fueling facility is part of the airport’s 12-year expansion and improvement plan.

“We’re somewhat surprised it’s being funded at this time,” said Russ Robertson, a Zelienople Airport Authority board member. “Of course we’re pleased with this grant.”

“We needed it,” Holman said of the grant. “We’re very appreciative of it.”

The airport also plans to lengthen its runway, expand its jet services and work with the state Department of Transportation to straighten and level Route 288 over the next three years.

The airport is among 23 airports across Pennsylvania sharing $8.8 million in grants during the current round of funding from the Aviation Transportation Assistance Program and Aviation Development Program.

The transportation assistance program is funded with bonds. The Aviation Development Program is supported by the state’s jet fuel tax.

Neither program uses general fund revenues.