ST. GEORGE — Mayor Dan McArthur happily accepted a $17.2 million Federal Aviation Administration grant that will be used to buy land for the St. George replacement airport located five miles southeast of St. George.

FAA administrator Marion C. Blakey delivered the grant document during a ceremony Monday outside a city terminal at the current St. George Airport. The event attracted local, state and national supporters of the replacement airport, including Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, who voiced their support for the project.

"I am really excited. This is a momentous, historical occasion," said McArthur to more than 100 people attending the event on a sunny, picture-perfect clear day in Utah's Dixie. "We've had a lot of history in this process, but that's all behind us. What's really important is the future and we're moving forward in a positive, enthusiastic way. This is what it's all about."

Blakey, who said she owns property in the Salt Lake City area, congratulated McArthur for his patience and optimistic attitude.

"I think we've all got a song in our hearts today," she said. "If there's one word that's on everybody's lips, I think it's fair to say it's the word 'finally.' St. George is getting the number one thing it needs and that's a brand, spanking new airport."

The St. George replacement airport has been in the works for nearly 20 years. The FAA's initial record of decision in favor of the replacement airport site was repealed when an environmental group filed a lawsuit challenging the document's findings on the level of noise the new airport would inflict on Zion National Park.

Following completion of an environmental impact statement, the FAA concluded the cumulative increase in noise generated by aircraft over the park would be minimal and issued a new record of decision favoring the new airport site.

Blakey noted that according to the U.S. Census, St. George is the fastest-growing metropolitan area in the nation. The initial FAA grant money will be used to buy 277 acres of land for the replacement airport site, she added. More than 1,300 acres are needed for the project to proceed.

"I did a little research before coming out here and found that this is Utah's biggest grant from the FAA ever," she said to applause. "Good things come to those who wait. You deserve the kind of air service other areas in the country have enjoyed for decades and you've waited long enough."

The new airport will include a 9,300-foot runway large enough to allow scheduled commercial jet airlines and business jets to fly into St. George for the first time. The airport will be a state-of-the-art facility capable of handling twice as many passengers as the existing airport. The new runway will have the latest in lighting systems and navigation technology.