Airport lands $45 million for upgrades

FORT MYERS — Federal and state government will provide $45 million for a new control tower and radar at Southwest Florida International Airport.

The Lee County Port Authority says it has secured $22.8 million from the Florida Department of Transportation and another $22 million from the Federal Aviation Administration for the project.

“LCPA is very pleased by the endorsement from our airlines, funding from FDOT and the FAA's [passenger facility charges] approval to move forward on construction of the new control tower at Southwest Florida International Airport, truly the linchpin for progress and growth” for the region, says Robert Ball, executive director of the Lee County Port Authority, in a statement.