(ANCHORAGE) - The Legislative Budget & Audit Committee took action Friday to make money available for two important projects in Sitka.

The committee approved $6.025 million in federal money for Mt. Edgecumbe High School, and a $500,000 Federal Aviation Administration grant for the Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport.

"I'm pleased LB&A looked favorably on this request. Early approval of these funds means money gets to the community that much faster and we can address our infrastructure needs here at home," said Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka.

Mt. Edgecumbe funds will pay for construction and related work for dorm renovations, conversion of an existing building to dormitory rooms to provide 65 to 80 beds, and classroom expansion to serve approximately 80 additional students.

The airport grant would reimburse the City and Borough of Sitka, which owns and operates the terminal building, for substantial modifications made to comply with Transportation Security Administration security requirements following the September 11 terrorist attack.

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