The Indianapolis Airport Authority received the largest chunk of federal dollars in the nation from a recent round of grant distributions this week.

The $56.3 million grant is also the largest in the airport's history.

The money comes from the sixth and final round of this year's Airport Improvement Program from the Federal Aviation Administration, which allocated $431.8 million in grants across the country to support sustainable airport infrastructure.

The money will fund the initial construction phase of one of Indianapolis International Airport's runways, and the initial construction and electrical phase of a taxiway.

This is a $72.8 million project, according to the airport authority's 2022 capital improvement budget.

The project is anticipated to create about 2,700 jobs, according to IAA executive director Mario Rodriguez.

In a previous round, the IAA received about $960,000 for the purchase of zero-emissions vehicles, adding two 25-foot electric shuttle buses and charging stations to its existing fleet of 10.

Separately, the airport is receiving a federal grant of $11 million to bolster its capacity to allow planes to remain parked on the airfield overnight, which the IAA says helps the its goal of adding more nonstop flights and commercial carriers.

Earlier this year: Indianapolis airport adds nonstop flight to another Florida beach destination

The airport has added 21 new nonstop flights in 2021 alone, and two new carriers, Sun Country and Contour.

Contact IndyStar transportation reporter Kayla Dwyer at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @kayla_dwyer17.

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