The University Park Airport received a $617,725 federal grant, according to local U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson, RHoward Township.

The grant came from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration and will provide reimbursement for the construction of the airport’s new air traffic control tower and improvements to the aircraft rescue and fire-fighting building, Peterson said.

Airport manager Bryan Rodgers said in a statement that the tower and emergency upgrades are necessary to increase the level of safety at the airport.