Pine Belt airports receive federal dollars for improvements Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport will receive more than $1.1 million to construct and improve safety areas and security enhancements. (Source: WDAM) By Tim Doherty | May 14, 2021 at 2:22 PM CDT - Updated May 14 at 2:22 PM WASHINGTON, D.C. (WDAM) – Three Pine Belt airports were among the 10 in Mississippi to be awarded Federal Aviation Administration grants for improvements and upgrades. The Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport received the third-largest outlay, awarded more than $1.1 million “to construct and improve safety areas and security enhancements”. “Mississippi’s airports keep passengers and commerce moving across our state,” said United States Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.). “This latest round of grants from the FAA will help airports make upgrades that improve service, safety, and security.”