CHICO, Calif. - The news for road repairs in Chico is positive, as the city received confirmation that they will receive a federal grant for $13.3 million dollars to use for road improvements.

Routes like Cohasset Road will be improved, which will provide better access to the Chico Municipal Airport and to three other job centers.

Congressmember Doug LaMalfa said, "This funding will help travel to and from the airport, bring new jobs, and also help first responders who use the airport as a base."

LaMalfa said the grant is expected to create 620 jobs, retain 200 more, and create $26 million dollars in economic activity.

The grant will be coming from the Economic Development Administration (EDA). Congressmember LaMalfa said "the funds will help Butte County respond to wildfires while also encouraging the growth of Chico's local economy.

Chico Public Works Director Brendan Ottoboni said the city has been working on this project for more than a decade. He said usually the EDA grants require a 25 percent match. He was excited to share that this EDA grant covers 100 percent of the costs of the project's scope of work.

Ottoboni also said there should be a decrease in fatal collisions on the stretch of Cohasset Road by the airport after the work is completed.

CLICK HERE to read about other federal funds that will be used to bring commercial air service to Chico. The story in this link is about a previously reported $500 thousand dollar Small Community Air Services Development Grant (SCASD) that will be added to private monies in a "revenue guarantee bank" that could help lure commercial carriers to the Chico Municipal Airport.

CLICK HERE for more about the "revenue guarantee bank" project to help improve air carrier service at the Chico Municipal Airport.