The word used at Syracuse Hancock International Airport on Wednesday was "excitement." The facility announced a new investment to improve security operations.

The airport will receive $2.5 million in federal funding to strengthen security. Part of the funding will be used to revamp its command center, allowing its team to work as one.

"What this is going to do is allow better coordination between our operations teams, terminal services, maintenance, the police, fire, TSA, all our partners,” said Jason Terreri, the exective director of Syracuse’s Regional Airport Authority.

He said the airport has seen a significant increase in travelers over the last year, and it’s imperative to increase efficiency and stay one step ahead, especially with what’s coming.

“Just think of what we’re going to see in the next few years in terms of Micron coming in," Terreri said. "But it’s not only Micron. It’s a lot of other factors as this community continues to grow. So as an airport, we have to be ahead of that.”

That’s why Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand pushed for the funding.

An airport can be very hectic. The senator said it’s important to prioritize safety and meet the demands of the community.

“People have to know that this airport will continue to grow and meet the needs of their families and their communities and their businesses," Gillibrand said. "That’s why Senator Schumer and I and the delegation made such an effort to bring those federal dollars to do exactly that.”

The airport funding is part of the nearly $11 million federal officials helped secure for Syracuse in the federal bipartisan funding package.