I run a small airport here.

The FAA pays for 90% or so of expenses related to runways, lighting, and such.

Several government shutdowns ago, we were about to repave the main runway and taxiways. The project was all engineered and designed, and all that remained was for a single FAA signature to be placed on a sheet of paper, so that the funds could be directed to us.

The government shutdown caused that piece of paper to not get signed because the person responsible could not report to work.

As a result, the funding was not allocated, because the deadline for the funding cycle was missed.

Several things happened due to that:

- The $7 million project that was going to begin in 45 days did not happen, so people who were relying on this work had to find other things to do. Jobs were lost, and one small business closed up shop entirely.

- The rules for runway planning/design changed before the next funding cycle, so the project had to be re-engineered (at a cost of ~$700k), and the previous $400k of design work was essentially wasted.

- $2 million of federal funding had to be used over the next several years to repair the runway until such a time as the paperwork for the repaving could be completed

- The new project, which will be 4-5 years after the original completion timeline, will be costing about $13 million once the dust settles.


So, government efficiency and an excellent use of your tax dollars!