Zelienople Municipal Airport has received $2.5 million in grant funding from the state to revitalize abandoned mine land as a part of its runway widening initiative.

The airport, situated in Franklin Township near the border of Beaver and Butler counties, began work in August toward its goal of widening and extending the airport runway, adding more flight options and about 25 new jobs.

The project has several parts, including cleaning and revitalizing abandoned mine land, realigning Route 228 and constructing the new runway.

The $2.5 million in funding is dedicated to dealing with the abandoned mine land.

“We're reclaiming an abandoned strip mine and lowering a mountain,” said Dave Holman, airport manager. “This (money) is 100 percent dedicated to reclaiming the mine.”

This means the removal of over 3,400 feet of mine highwall along with a 12-acre hillside obstruction.

Work began in August, Holman said, though the harsh winter weather slowed progress.

“We lost a ton of time through the winter,” Holman said. “It's been a mess.”

Fortunately, Holman said, they have the funding and permissions they need. Now, all that is left is the excavation and construction.

“There's multiple grants involved in the whole project,” he said. “Right now the plan is to be completed in the fall of 2019.”

Gov. Tom Wolf announced the approval of the grants, which total $25 million, to be distributed among 12 projects across the commonwealth.

“While it protects public health and safety through environmental cleanup, the disbursement of this funding will also support the creation of thousands of jobs, create new residential and business opportunities, and revitalize communities and outdoor recreation spaces that attract people and improve quality of life,” Wolf said in a news release. “I'm thrilled that we could support these important projects.”