Carroll County's airport is slated to receive $2.4 million from the Federal Aviation Administration for its runway improvement project, an announcement from U.S. Sen. Paul Sarbanes' office said yesterday.

The money -- the last installment in a series of federal grants -- is expected to pay for Phase Two of the expansion, said Kathleen Devilbiss, airport management assistant.

Phase Two, the project's last construction portion, includes completing the new runway and buildings to house airport support services, she said. Officials expect the project, which begins in September, to be completed next summer, she said.

"The FAA has given us a grant and has agreed to pay $2.4 million," she said. "We will turn in a payment request, and they will reimburse us up to $2.4 million. This allows us to move forward with the project and continue construction."

Ninety percent of the $11 million project will be paid for with federal money. The rest will be divided between state and county governments.

Carroll County Regional Airport is among the fastest growing airports in Maryland. Annual flight operations more than doubled from 50,000 in 1985 to 120,000 in 1989.