The Federal Aviation Administration has earmarked $21.1 million to go toward expanding the terminal building at the Wilmington International Airport (ILM).

The funding is part of more than $273 million in airport safety and infrastructure grants through the FAA to 41 states and the District of Columbia, American Samoa, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, Palau and Puerto Rico, according to the federal news release.

ILM is currently working on its $61 million terminal expansion project. The airport is in the final phase of its three-part terminal expansion project. The second phase wrapped this month and included its newly expanded ticket lobby, ticket counters and ticket offices.

Monteith Construction Corp. is underway with the project's last phase with "a target completion date of January 2023," Gary Broughton, ILM's deputy airport director, said in an email Tuesday.

"This grant funds the third phase, which consists of installing utilities, building foundations, plumbing, electrical components and roofing construction," he added.

The third phase is the "the largest and most dynamic portion" and will add four new gates in an expanded gate area, expanded concessions and TSA checkpoint, according to ILM's project website.

This final phase will require local, state and federal grants to complete, stated the website. 

“This $273 million federal investment in our nation’s airports will strengthen safety, improve travel, generate jobs, and benefit local communities,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao said in the release.
 
ILM's funding was the only received in the state for the more recent round of funding.